Welcome to the monthly children’s book review feature with a focus on diverse books here at Bird Meets Worm! My team of reviewers—Joan Charles, Laurie Young, Sarah Orgill—and I are so excited to be championing books celebrating everything from gender diversity, people of color, the LGBTQ community to ethnic, cultural and religious minorities, people with disabilities and developmental challenges to controversial topics, unique family situations and anything and everything I did not include. It is to say we take a rightfully broad view of diversity! We aim to shine a light on books that bring both familiar experiences to those who do not often see themselves represented in books and new experiences to those looking to expand their worldview. Here at Bird Meets Worm we believe in the power of story to build empathy and thus a better world for you and me and everyone. Look for a new review on the second Wednesday of every month.
A SPY ON HISTORY BOOK SERIES:
Mary Bowser and the Civil War Spy Ring
Written by Enigma Alberti • Illustrated by Tony Cliff
ISBN 978-1-523-50771-9
Anna Strong and the Revolutionary War Culper Spy Ring
Written by Enigma Alberti • Illustrated by Laura Terry
Anna Strong and the Revolutionary War Culper Spy Ring
Written by Enigma Alberti • Illustrated by Laura Terry
ISBN 978-1-523-50216-5
Victor Dowd and the World War II Ghost Army
Written by Enigma Alberti • Illustrated by Scott Wegener
Victor Dowd and the World War II Ghost Army
Written by Enigma Alberti • Illustrated by Scott Wegener
ISBN 978-1-523-50770-2
Middle Grade (ages 8-14) • 96 pages
Workman Publishing Company • 2017-2019
A former slave rewrites documents from memory to pass to the North, while working undercover as a maid for the Confederate President in Virginia.
A wife and mother sends signals to the Patriots, enabling them to get messages safely to General Washington, right under the noses of the British redcoats.
An artist helps create elaborate and convincing illusions to fool the German army into thinking the Allied forces are larger and closer than they actually are.
If you’ve ever wondered whether one person can truly make a difference, these riveting, true-life stories will keep you turning the pages to find out how each brave hero risked their life to spy for the winning side in the Civil War, Revolutionary War and World War II.
Mary Bowser was taught to read and write by the owner who freed her. When she is asked to spy on President Davis while working as a maid in his home, she agrees in order to help the North win and put an end to slavery. Using her photographic memory, her quick thinking, and her ability to sew, Mary helped change the course of the Civil War, assuring the North’s victory.
Anna Strong hated the presence of British soldiers occupying her small Long Island town. When her husband is taken prisoner under false charges, she welcomes the opportunity to spy for the Patriots by signaling them when a message is ready to be smuggled to George Washington’s army. Anna’s cleverness helped turn the tide and gave Washington the advantage he needed to push back the British and win the Revolutionary War.
Victor Dowd was recruited to be part of an elite crew of artists, sound effect engineers and actors to form the “Ghost Army,” a top-secret project designed to create a highly detailed illusion that fooled the German army. Through careful artistic renderings of each actual unit’s specific characteristics, they utilized graphics, sound effects, wire signals, and inflatable tanks and artillery in order to spy on the Germans and trick them into believing that the Allied forces were a more immediate threat than they actually were. Victor’s artwork helped give cover to the Allies so they could advance and win World War II.
Additionally, these interactive stories come with clues and tools to help amateur sleuths solve the mystery of how they did it. Included in each book is a cipher wheel to decode encrypted messages, red acetate to reveal hidden clues in the text, a map to follow the action and a vellum sheet with cutouts exposing just the right words to complete a secret message. There’s also an answer key to check your work, a historical note from the author and a bibliography to encourage further reading.
This series is not just for kids interested in history, but anyone who loves a good mystery and wants to try their hand at being a spy!
Buy this book:
Middle Grade (ages 8-14) • 96 pages
Workman Publishing Company • 2017-2019
A former slave rewrites documents from memory to pass to the North, while working undercover as a maid for the Confederate President in Virginia.
A wife and mother sends signals to the Patriots, enabling them to get messages safely to General Washington, right under the noses of the British redcoats.
An artist helps create elaborate and convincing illusions to fool the German army into thinking the Allied forces are larger and closer than they actually are.
If you’ve ever wondered whether one person can truly make a difference, these riveting, true-life stories will keep you turning the pages to find out how each brave hero risked their life to spy for the winning side in the Civil War, Revolutionary War and World War II.
Mary Bowser was taught to read and write by the owner who freed her. When she is asked to spy on President Davis while working as a maid in his home, she agrees in order to help the North win and put an end to slavery. Using her photographic memory, her quick thinking, and her ability to sew, Mary helped change the course of the Civil War, assuring the North’s victory.
Anna Strong hated the presence of British soldiers occupying her small Long Island town. When her husband is taken prisoner under false charges, she welcomes the opportunity to spy for the Patriots by signaling them when a message is ready to be smuggled to George Washington’s army. Anna’s cleverness helped turn the tide and gave Washington the advantage he needed to push back the British and win the Revolutionary War.
Victor Dowd was recruited to be part of an elite crew of artists, sound effect engineers and actors to form the “Ghost Army,” a top-secret project designed to create a highly detailed illusion that fooled the German army. Through careful artistic renderings of each actual unit’s specific characteristics, they utilized graphics, sound effects, wire signals, and inflatable tanks and artillery in order to spy on the Germans and trick them into believing that the Allied forces were a more immediate threat than they actually were. Victor’s artwork helped give cover to the Allies so they could advance and win World War II.
Additionally, these interactive stories come with clues and tools to help amateur sleuths solve the mystery of how they did it. Included in each book is a cipher wheel to decode encrypted messages, red acetate to reveal hidden clues in the text, a map to follow the action and a vellum sheet with cutouts exposing just the right words to complete a secret message. There’s also an answer key to check your work, a historical note from the author and a bibliography to encourage further reading.
This series is not just for kids interested in history, but anyone who loves a good mystery and wants to try their hand at being a spy!
Buy this book:
Barnes & Noble:Mary Bowser and the Civil War Spy Ring
Anna Strong and the Revolutionary War Culper Spy Ring
Independent Bookstores Mary Bowser and the Civil War Spy Ring
Anna Strong and the Revolutionary War Culper Spy Ring
Victor Dowd and the World War II Ghost Army
Reviewed by: Laurie L Young
Anna Strong and the Revolutionary War Culper Spy Ring
Victor Dowd and the World War II Ghost Army
Reviewed by: Laurie L Young
