Moss, Marissa. Spying on Spies: How Elizebeth Smith Friedman Broke the Nazis’ Secret Codes. Marissa Moss, Illus. Abrams, 03/2024. 224pp. Biography. Trade $19.99. 978-1-4197-6731-9. GRADES 7–12. OUTSTANDING.
In her long life breaking codes and thus saving millions of lives, Elizebeth Friedman had to suffer a lot of fools, from gushing reporters delighted a “petite housewife” was a famous cryptographer, to Herbert Hoover who routinely leaked secrets like a sieve. No fool, she took her secrets to the grave. Moss uses recently unsealed government files as the basis for a jaw-dropping story of Friedman’s brilliance and dedication, deciphering codes from 1916–1947. Each chapter opens with a short pen-and-wash cartoon, visually drawing readers into the action. The organization and pacing are seamless, moving from one exceptional adventure to the next, balancing Friedman’s personal life with her professional accomplishments and adversities. Exactly the right amount of background information is included to allow young and old readers alike to follow along and understand both Friedman’s astonishing historical impact and her code-breaking techniques. Back matter includes a primer on cracking ciphers and codes, glossary, timeline with period photographs, detailed notes, and selected bibliography. Reviewed from an ARC.
Melissa McAvoy—Retired