Code Breaker, Spy Hunter

By Laurie Wallmark, Brooke Smart (Illustrator)

A cryptologist unravels codes to dismantle spy rings and save lives.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 514 ratings

48 pages· 2,362 words· Est. 19 min read-aloud

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Meet Elizebeth Friedman, a pioneering cryptologist who cracked codes to dismantle Nazi spy rings and gangsters. Her secretive work, revealed only in 2015, was crucial in shaping early US cryptology. Discover how her brilliance and resilience saved countless lives and laid the foundation for the CIA's cryptology unit. Dive into a world of espionage and intrigue, where every cipher holds the key to victory. Young readers will be captivated by her story and inspired to decode their own secret messages.

From the publisher

Decode the story of Elizebeth Friedman, the cryptologist who took down gangsters and Nazi spies In this picture book biography, young readers will learn all about Elizebeth Friedman (1892-1980), a brilliant American code breaker who smashed Nazi spy rings, took down gangsters, and created the CIA’s first cryptology unit. Her story came to light when her secret papers were finally declassified in 2015. From thwarting notorious rumrunners with only paper and pencil to “counter-spying into the minds and activities of” Nazis, Elizebeth held a pivotal role in the early days of US cryptology. No code was too challenging for her to crack, and Elizebeth’s work undoubtedly saved thousands of lives. Extensive back matter includes explanations of codes and ciphers, further information on cryptology, a bibliography, a timeline of Elizebeth’s life, plus secret messages for young readers to decode.

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