Nick's a straight-A student. Sy's a class clown.

But when they start at a new school, misunderstandings cause everyone to think Nick's the class clown and Sy's the brainiac. Eager to fit in, they make a pact: Nick will teach Sy how to be a convincing brainiac, and Sy will help Nick pose as a jokester. But the two soon learn it's not easy to fake your way through fifth grade, and the longer their charade goes on, the harder it is to come clean. When the two impostors meet a girl with a secret of her own, the three form an unlikely friendship that challenges everything they thought they knew about what it means to "be yourself."

This debut graphic novel series by cartoonist Tate Godwin is teeming with fun, hijinks, and embracing who you are-and all the many facets of what makes up your identity.

"Charming and colorful and cleverly told. Operation Cover-Up is full of humor and characters that any kid can relate to!" - John Patrick Green, New York Times bestselling author of the InvestiGATORS series

"Featuring a lively, nonstop narrative arc and precise pastel cartoon art, this humorous graphic novel conveys complex truths about loyalty, identity, and honesty. Godwin employs a split screen-style format early on as Sy and Nick embark on parallel storylines that eventually converge-an inspired way to introduce the protagonists and to help readers realize that everyone, no matter how outwardly confident, feels self-doubt and uncertainty. Hilarious, perceptive, and thoughtful-just like its protagonists." - Kirkus Reviews, STARRED review

"The kids' world bursts with vibrant color that brings the characters and their surroundings to life with dynamic, youthful exuberance. Playful banter and touching moments of self-discovery showcase the challenges of navigating adolescence-and the importance of having a friend to do it with." - Publisher's Weekly, STARRED review