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Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizebeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars
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.
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.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published March 2, 2021
9 people are currently reading
406 people want to read
About the author
Laurie Wallmark
12 books58 followersAward-winning author Laurie Wallmark writes picture book biographies of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) as well as fiction. Her books have earned multiple starred trade reviews, been chosen as Junior Library Guild Selections, and received awards such as Outstanding Science Trade Book, Best STEM Book, Crystal Kite Award, Cook Prize Honor, and Parents’ Choice Gold Medal. Her titles include ADA BYRON LOVELACE AND THE THINKING MACHINE, GRACE HOPPER: QUEEN OF COMPUTER CODE, HEDY LAMARR’S DOUBLE LIFE, NUMBERS IN MOTION, CODE BREAKER, SPY HUNTER, and DINO PAJAMA PARTY. Laurie has an MFA in Writing from VCFA and frequently presents at schools as well as national professional conferences (NSTA, NCTE, ALA, TLA, etc.). She is a former software engineer and computer science professor. You can find Laurie on the Web at www.lauriewallmark.com and @lauriewallmark.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
February 1, 2021
It was a joy to read this recent addition to Laurie Wallmark's series fo picture book biographies about WOMEN IN STEM. I read a pdf file and was ready to rave about it. As a picture book fanatic, I found that holding the physical book in my hands impressed me even further. The illustrations and art design are perfectly arranged to enhance the author's complex text. Pages include embedded quotations to reveal Friedman's thoughts, reactions, and insights. We learn that it was her early love of English literature, particularly the works of Shakespeare, that fostered Friedman's appreciation of structures, patterns, and internal relationships, skills that later served her well as a code-breaker. Puzzles and mysteries engaged her attention, while creating and deciphering codes provided theist possible entertainment.
She and her like-minded husband were soon recognized as master cryptographers (code-breakers) when such skills were needed most- during the First World War. Each page turn reveals further steps in Friedman's lifelong journey through the secret mazes of spies, codes, and secret efforts for enemies to overthrow the United states.
Once again, Wallmark manages to devote most of this biography to her subject's adult life, but incorporates enough childhood spotlights to establish Friedman's character, intelligence, and risk-taking nature. She describes the exuberance she felt when taking risks, which explains a great deal about how she could move so effortlessly and successfully between her pastoral family life and her rapid responses to calls from criminal prosecutors, Coastguard officers, and government officials plain need of her help to establish the OSS (later, the CIA) as the Second World War presented massive threats to her/our country. And yet she relished her time at home to garden, host "coded" dinner parties, read, write, and teach.
Back matter expanded my appreciation of Friedman with an accessible timeline of her life, a code-breaking challenge page, sources and bibliogaphy, and a fast-forward description of digital cryptography.
Elizabeth Friedman is a standout in the world of cryptanalysis and spy hunting. You didn't know her name? Neither did I. It astonishes me that no one has made a movie of her life-- yet-- and I am crossing my fingers that this book could lead someone with the necessary skills and connections to pursue that project. It would be an edge of the chair, breath-holding video success.
She and her like-minded husband were soon recognized as master cryptographers (code-breakers) when such skills were needed most- during the First World War. Each page turn reveals further steps in Friedman's lifelong journey through the secret mazes of spies, codes, and secret efforts for enemies to overthrow the United states.
Once again, Wallmark manages to devote most of this biography to her subject's adult life, but incorporates enough childhood spotlights to establish Friedman's character, intelligence, and risk-taking nature. She describes the exuberance she felt when taking risks, which explains a great deal about how she could move so effortlessly and successfully between her pastoral family life and her rapid responses to calls from criminal prosecutors, Coastguard officers, and government officials plain need of her help to establish the OSS (later, the CIA) as the Second World War presented massive threats to her/our country. And yet she relished her time at home to garden, host "coded" dinner parties, read, write, and teach.
Back matter expanded my appreciation of Friedman with an accessible timeline of her life, a code-breaking challenge page, sources and bibliogaphy, and a fast-forward description of digital cryptography.
Elizabeth Friedman is a standout in the world of cryptanalysis and spy hunting. You didn't know her name? Neither did I. It astonishes me that no one has made a movie of her life-- yet-- and I am crossing my fingers that this book could lead someone with the necessary skills and connections to pursue that project. It would be an edge of the chair, breath-holding video success.
April 27, 2021
Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizebeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars is a children's picture book written by Laurie Wallmark and illustrated by Brooke Smart. It centers on a star-struck girl becomes a renowned astronomer.
Elizebeth Smith Friedman was an American expert cryptanalyst and author. She has been called "America's first female cryptanalyst".
Wallmark's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Concise description with interesting details combines with evocative illustrations that frequently incorporate Friedman's own words to portray the life of this extraordinary woman. Backmatter includes notes, timeline, and bibliography. Smart's illustrations are wonderfully rendered and depict the text rather well.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. When Elizebeth Smith Friedman graduated college in 1915 with a degree in English literature, she had no idea that the future held secret government work in store. She was initially hired by a wealthy eccentric to find messages in Shakespeare's plays to reveal his true identity. Eventually, her talent with language and analysis led to her selection, with her husband, to set up the first code-breaking unit in the U.S. Over her career she unraveled thousands of secret messages, working for the military through two world wars, preventing countless deaths, catching smugglers and spies, and training others to code break.
All in all, Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizebeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars is an appealing and informative depiction of cryptographer Elizebeth Friedman.
Elizebeth Smith Friedman was an American expert cryptanalyst and author. She has been called "America's first female cryptanalyst".
Wallmark's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Concise description with interesting details combines with evocative illustrations that frequently incorporate Friedman's own words to portray the life of this extraordinary woman. Backmatter includes notes, timeline, and bibliography. Smart's illustrations are wonderfully rendered and depict the text rather well.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. When Elizebeth Smith Friedman graduated college in 1915 with a degree in English literature, she had no idea that the future held secret government work in store. She was initially hired by a wealthy eccentric to find messages in Shakespeare's plays to reveal his true identity. Eventually, her talent with language and analysis led to her selection, with her husband, to set up the first code-breaking unit in the U.S. Over her career she unraveled thousands of secret messages, working for the military through two world wars, preventing countless deaths, catching smugglers and spies, and training others to code break.
All in all, Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizebeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars is an appealing and informative depiction of cryptographer Elizebeth Friedman.
June 17, 2021
Code breaking, Women in STEAM, Heroines - Mind Blown! Sorry kids, I can't wait for school to begin so that I can share this with my elementary school storytimes. Elizabeth Friedman was an incredible woman. She had an analytical mind that understood codes and was able to help break the ENIGMA code. She cracked codes for the OSS (precursor to the CIA), Coast Guard. A school principal, author, code cracker, wife and mother, I would love to know what kind of woman she was in a time when women didn't work outside of the home. I get the impression that she enjoyed her work. I love the part where it talks about a dinner party that she arranged in code. The itinerary for the progressive dinner was sent in code. She worked with her husband and he was supportive of her, even when her knowledge and star seemed to eclipse his own. I am so glad that I read this. I would like to read more about her and share it with others.
The book contains ciphers and codes for the reader to solve throughout the book and instructions at the end for creating a Caesar Cipher. A great place to start for students wishing to learn how to create and solve codes.
The book contains ciphers and codes for the reader to solve throughout the book and instructions at the end for creating a Caesar Cipher. A great place to start for students wishing to learn how to create and solve codes.
April 5, 2021
Do you remember “breaking codes” as a kid? I do! Highlights magazine usually had code puzzles, and we solved them in school. These were simple, fun activities, and we weren’t breaking codes to save lives. But Elizabeth Friedman was!
Through her love of languages and literature, Elizabeth also discovered a love of finding patterns in poetry which led to a love of breaking codes. When the government needed people to decode spy messages in WWI, she and her husband led the country’s first code-breaking unit, and they wrote their new techniques of code breaking down for others to study. In fact, now their methods are “considered the basis for the modern science of cryptology, the study of secret codes.” Their skills were needed again during WWII as codes became more difficult to break because of the Enigma machine.
Code Breaker, Spy Hunter is a fascinating book that I highly recommend you read with your kids. They need to know that math actually does have a purpose….you KNOW we think we’ll never need higher math skills! Who knows what codes will need breaking next?
Through her love of languages and literature, Elizabeth also discovered a love of finding patterns in poetry which led to a love of breaking codes. When the government needed people to decode spy messages in WWI, she and her husband led the country’s first code-breaking unit, and they wrote their new techniques of code breaking down for others to study. In fact, now their methods are “considered the basis for the modern science of cryptology, the study of secret codes.” Their skills were needed again during WWII as codes became more difficult to break because of the Enigma machine.
Code Breaker, Spy Hunter is a fascinating book that I highly recommend you read with your kids. They need to know that math actually does have a purpose….you KNOW we think we’ll never need higher math skills! Who knows what codes will need breaking next?
July 6, 2022
This was a wonderful picture book for very young readers, or just anyone wanting to learn a little bit about this fascinating woman, Elizebeth Friedman. I saw this on my Library's Sequoyah Booklist shelf and snatched it up immediately. I also checked out the Audio Book and it was great. It was accompanied with music and other sounds. It also had wonderful illustrations!
July 15, 2022
Add this book to your girl power/STEM collections. I would have loved this book as a young girl. Love that Elizebeth got her professional start from a librarian. Pictures are well done, except for the creepy ears. Lots of back matter on cryptography. Direct quotes appear in almost every page, hoping the sources for those are under the back jacket flap which is glued down on my library copy.
November 1, 2021
This stunning book about Elizabeth Friedman and her incredible code-cracking skills presents a fascinating look into a woman who used her skills to benefit her country, during not one, but two world wars. The codes scattered throughout the book offer young readers a chance to learn some code-breaking skills themselves. Interestingly, an encounter with a librarian set her on the path that lead to Elizabeth becoming one of the world's most accomplished code breakers. Along the way she met her husband and helped form the United States first code-breaking unit. Not only did she and her husband help break codes but they helped establish techniques and strategies that would be used for years to come. She went on to help capture spies and help decipher the most complex code known up to that time. I appreciated the fact that actual quotes from Friedman were included with the story along with plenty of back matter. The back matter includes more information about codes and ciphers, a code for young readers to crack, along with a timeline and selected bibliography. A thoroughly engaging book about an intriguing, intelligent woman.
March 16, 2021
This picture book for older readers tells the story of a remarkable woman who developed new code- making and breaking techniques, helped capture bootleggers, and even managed to catch a few Nazi spies.
When she was a child, Elizabeth Smith loved poetry and Shakespeare was her favorite author. She appreciated the structure and patterns she noticed in his poetry. Not surprisingly, Elizabeth graduated college in 1915 with a degree in English Lit, but she also studied Latin, Greek, and German.
Looking for a job in Chicago, Elizabeth was introduced to George Fabyan, a wealthy eccentric Shakespeare fan who invited her to become part of a group of researchers on his estate, Riverbank, who were looking for proof that Francis Bacon was the real writer of Shakespeare's plays. Her job was to look for secret messages left by Bacon in the plays. Who knew this job would eventually lead to Elizabeth's helping to capture Nazi spies?
Well, Elizabeth never found any coded messages but she did find friendship in the person of William Friedman, a scientist. The two friends spent part of their time together devising secret notes and challenging each other to decode them. Soon, they were in love and married.
When the United States entered WWI in 1917, Riverbank was converted to a code-breaking unit called the Riverbank Department of Ciphers. Elizabeth, William, and their cipher staff set about decoding enemy communications and developing new code-breaking techniques.
After the war, Elizabeth went on the work for the Coast Guard. They needed help with smugglers who were hiding bootleg liquor and communicating with each other using coded messages. Could Elizabeth crack the codes, so the bootleggers could be caught? She could and did, often testifying at the trials of the smugglers.
When the United States entered WWII, Elizabeth's code-breaking skills were once again needed. In 1942, she joined the newly formed Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and began setting up a code-breaking unit. Yet, when her decoding talents helped with the capture of some Nazi spies, the FBI director took all the credit for himself. Nevertheless, Elizabeth carried on and helped put American Velvalee Dickinson in prison for spying for the Japanese by decoding her letters about buying "dolls."
Then came Germany's Enigma code-making machine, which created seemingly unbreakable codes. Thanks to a lazy Enigma operator, Elizabeth and her staff were about to break the codes after months of hard work. They didn't know that in England, code-breaker Alan Turing had also broken the Enigma codes.
I loved the way Elizabeth's own words were strategically worked into the stylized watercolor and gouache illustrations so readers can get a real sense of who Elizabeth was and what she thought about the groundbreaking work she did. I also loved the ribbons of coded messages the wrap around a number of pages like a lasso capturing secrets, including the Nazis that Elizabeth's decoded messages helped catch. And if you are interested in trying your hand at decoding. those ribbons are coded messages. Check out the back matter for help solving them.
Code Breaker, Spy Hunter is a fascinating biography about a woman who did so much and received so little credit for her hard work. It is packed with interesting information about Elizabeth's personal and professional life.
Besides information about Codes and Ciphers, back matter includes a challenge to Crack The Code, information on Cryptography Today, a Timeline and a Selected Bibliography.
You can also find some Activity Sheets to download courtesy of the publisher, Abrams Books HERE
This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was borrowed from the Queens Public Library
When she was a child, Elizabeth Smith loved poetry and Shakespeare was her favorite author. She appreciated the structure and patterns she noticed in his poetry. Not surprisingly, Elizabeth graduated college in 1915 with a degree in English Lit, but she also studied Latin, Greek, and German.
Looking for a job in Chicago, Elizabeth was introduced to George Fabyan, a wealthy eccentric Shakespeare fan who invited her to become part of a group of researchers on his estate, Riverbank, who were looking for proof that Francis Bacon was the real writer of Shakespeare's plays. Her job was to look for secret messages left by Bacon in the plays. Who knew this job would eventually lead to Elizabeth's helping to capture Nazi spies?
Well, Elizabeth never found any coded messages but she did find friendship in the person of William Friedman, a scientist. The two friends spent part of their time together devising secret notes and challenging each other to decode them. Soon, they were in love and married.
When the United States entered WWI in 1917, Riverbank was converted to a code-breaking unit called the Riverbank Department of Ciphers. Elizabeth, William, and their cipher staff set about decoding enemy communications and developing new code-breaking techniques.
After the war, Elizabeth went on the work for the Coast Guard. They needed help with smugglers who were hiding bootleg liquor and communicating with each other using coded messages. Could Elizabeth crack the codes, so the bootleggers could be caught? She could and did, often testifying at the trials of the smugglers.
When the United States entered WWII, Elizabeth's code-breaking skills were once again needed. In 1942, she joined the newly formed Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and began setting up a code-breaking unit. Yet, when her decoding talents helped with the capture of some Nazi spies, the FBI director took all the credit for himself. Nevertheless, Elizabeth carried on and helped put American Velvalee Dickinson in prison for spying for the Japanese by decoding her letters about buying "dolls."
Then came Germany's Enigma code-making machine, which created seemingly unbreakable codes. Thanks to a lazy Enigma operator, Elizabeth and her staff were about to break the codes after months of hard work. They didn't know that in England, code-breaker Alan Turing had also broken the Enigma codes.
I loved the way Elizabeth's own words were strategically worked into the stylized watercolor and gouache illustrations so readers can get a real sense of who Elizabeth was and what she thought about the groundbreaking work she did. I also loved the ribbons of coded messages the wrap around a number of pages like a lasso capturing secrets, including the Nazis that Elizabeth's decoded messages helped catch. And if you are interested in trying your hand at decoding. those ribbons are coded messages. Check out the back matter for help solving them.
Code Breaker, Spy Hunter is a fascinating biography about a woman who did so much and received so little credit for her hard work. It is packed with interesting information about Elizabeth's personal and professional life.
Besides information about Codes and Ciphers, back matter includes a challenge to Crack The Code, information on Cryptography Today, a Timeline and a Selected Bibliography.
You can also find some Activity Sheets to download courtesy of the publisher, Abrams Books HERE
This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was borrowed from the Queens Public Library
July 13, 2021
This is a great biography of Elizebeth Friedman for young readers. She worked as a code breaker through both World War I and World War II and developed the CIA's first cryptology unit. I listened to the audio and then looked up sample pages to view the style of illustrations. The audio was well done, but I would recommend the book for the full experience of the illustrations as well.
Audio duration: 42 minutes
*I received an audiobook of this book through the Libro.fm ALC program for educators.
Audio duration: 42 minutes
*I received an audiobook of this book through the Libro.fm ALC program for educators.
March 2, 2021
Do you know about a woman, who with just paper, pencil and experience in looking for secret messages in Shakespear plays, became a cryptanalyst who put Nazis in jail, caught twenty five rumrunners and shortened World War II by many years? This fascinating picture book biography introduces us to Elizebeth Friedman who did just that and in 1942 created a code-breaking unit for the OSS, which became the CIA. Her unit decoded Nazi messages to help the Allies learn of the Nazi’s attacks and bombings which led to winning the war. Her work was so highly classified, it was not revealed until 2015.
@brookesmartillustration detailed and charming illustrations add to the intriguing story, and offer us a glimpse into the life of a true heroine of World War I and II as it shows us what inquisitive minds and creativity can accomplish. I especially liked the quotations which are tucked into many pages, and offer more insight into Elizebeth’s thoughts and experiences. An added bonus is the page in the back matter inviting young readers to decode a secret message!
Elizebeth’s amazing story will absorb anyone with an interest in spies, World War II or secret codes. It’s a perfect choice for Women’s History Month and as an American Heroes read aloud. It’s available TODAY!
Thank you to @blue_slipmedia for the preview copy.
@brookesmartillustration detailed and charming illustrations add to the intriguing story, and offer us a glimpse into the life of a true heroine of World War I and II as it shows us what inquisitive minds and creativity can accomplish. I especially liked the quotations which are tucked into many pages, and offer more insight into Elizebeth’s thoughts and experiences. An added bonus is the page in the back matter inviting young readers to decode a secret message!
Elizebeth’s amazing story will absorb anyone with an interest in spies, World War II or secret codes. It’s a perfect choice for Women’s History Month and as an American Heroes read aloud. It’s available TODAY!
Thank you to @blue_slipmedia for the preview copy.
March 12, 2021
Last year I read a book about a code breaker named Elizebeth Friedman. It was a biography about her life and the amazing things she had done as a code breaker. This was a part of history we were never taught. So when I saw this book, written on a child’s level telling the amazing feats of this woman Elizebeth Friedman I had to share with it my children.
Elizebeth Friedman was a woman who had a brain that found it easy to decipher codes, when in the early 1900s this is not some thing that was even a thing. So Elizabeth teamed up with her husband William and they started deciphering codes in World War I for the military. She also deciphered codes for the Coast Guard to catch rum runners. Then in WWII she brought down many German spies and saved countless lives. This book details many of her accomplishments on a child’s level. This book shares a part of history we were not taught in school. There are many quotes and definitions scattered throughout the book too. It is a great read for any age level. The illustrations are wonderful and it brings to light visually Elizebeth’s journey. After reading this I definitely puffed out my chest a little, prouder of accomplishments of the women before me in history.
Elizebeth Friedman was a woman who had a brain that found it easy to decipher codes, when in the early 1900s this is not some thing that was even a thing. So Elizabeth teamed up with her husband William and they started deciphering codes in World War I for the military. She also deciphered codes for the Coast Guard to catch rum runners. Then in WWII she brought down many German spies and saved countless lives. This book details many of her accomplishments on a child’s level. This book shares a part of history we were not taught in school. There are many quotes and definitions scattered throughout the book too. It is a great read for any age level. The illustrations are wonderful and it brings to light visually Elizebeth’s journey. After reading this I definitely puffed out my chest a little, prouder of accomplishments of the women before me in history.
November 4, 2023
I appreciated several things about this book. The agendas possible for this topic were not present. It highlights how she wanted to stay home with her children and enjoyed doing things with them but also worked and worked hard. Her quotes used as parts of the illustration was neat for me as the adult to read. It highlighted the importance of teaching others what you are skilled in. Credit was given to other cryptologists so you weren’t left feeling like Friedman was the only one to ever decipher codes. Best for ages 8+. Overall I really enjoyed this book.
April 9, 2021
This is a big, complicated story to tell and the author does a splendid job of introducing the job of a cryptologist, the role Elizabeth Friedman (and her husband) played in developing the field and the crucial work she took on in both world wars and during Prohibition to break smuggling activities. What a woman! Brooke Smart's illustrations are just right and incorporate quotes from Friedman's now-accessible notebooks.
March 2, 2021
I‘ve always LOVED spy stories with intrigue and codes. It’s fascinating to learn how Elizebeth Friedman developed her talent and found her path deciphering secret messages to aid the government in wartime. She was truly unstoppable! Side bars, ribbons of code, and engaging back matter make this a great picture book for older readers to celebrate a woman behind the scenes who made a difference.
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March 5, 2021Terrific picture book biography about a fascinating person whose accomplishments were cloaked by Top Secret Ultra classification, giving men the opportunity to steal the credit.
November 4, 2021
Similar to many picture book biographies I have reviewed, Code Breaker has a brief glimpse into Elizebeth's childhood. But there's a catch: this glimpse is provided after the reader meets Elizebeth as an adult working as a cryptanalyst and a spy catcher. In some ways, the book is a flashback from that introduction on the first two pages.
Elizebeth loved languages and studied English literature, Latin, Greek, and German in college. After going to Chicago to get a job in research or literature, she met George Fabyan, an eccentric millionaire who hired her to prove that Shakespeare's play were written by someone else. Although she never proved his hypothesis to be correct, she shared her conclusions with a scientist friend, William Friedman. Not only did he agree with her conclusion, but their friendship turned to love, and within a year they were married.
After the United States entered WWI in 1917, the government needed people to decode spy messages. Elizebeth and William set up the country's first code-breaking unit, the Riverbank Department of Ciphers. Their ground-breaking techniques became the basis for cryptology--the study of secret codes.
The couple moved to Washington, DC to work as code breakers for the Army's Signal Corps. Together, Elizebeth and William invented a scientific method to create ciphers--complicated codes--using only a pencil and paper. This was a necessary invention in order for field soldiers to send secrets.
After the war ended, Elizebeth stopped working full time in order to write books and start a family.
Elizebeth was hired by the Coast Guard hired her to catch bootleggers, she testified at criminal trials, and she trained the staff for the Coast Guard's first code-breaking unit.
But her home and family were also important to her.
When the United States entered WWII, the Office of Strategic Services had gathered communications from around the world, but they were unable to break their codes. Enter Elizebeth. She created another code-breaking unit and hired and trained mathematicians, physicists, and chemists.
After Elizebeth helped capture Nazi spies, the U.S. Postal Service asked for her help. They had seized letters from an American spy; on the surface they appeared to be about buying and selling dolls. But Elizebeth decoded the real message.
The war's "Number One Woman Spy" was sentenced to ten years in prison. Elizebeth wrote, "It is obvious that even a casual examination of these letters, indicates their suspicious nature."
Elizebeth's work was top secret. She was even threatened to be put in prison if she spoke about it to anyone--even her family! Thirty-five years after her death her secrets were finally declassified.
BACK MATTER
Five pages of interesting back matter concludes this book. The first is dedicated to "Codes and Ciphers" and includes instructions on how to decode the Caesar cipher written on the ribbons throughout the book. The second page is step by step directions for cracking a code, the third is information on Cryptology today--including hints for creating online passwords. The last two pages, a timeline and bibliography, are the end pages--what a clever use of space in this 42-page picture book!
Elizebeth loved languages and studied English literature, Latin, Greek, and German in college. After going to Chicago to get a job in research or literature, she met George Fabyan, an eccentric millionaire who hired her to prove that Shakespeare's play were written by someone else. Although she never proved his hypothesis to be correct, she shared her conclusions with a scientist friend, William Friedman. Not only did he agree with her conclusion, but their friendship turned to love, and within a year they were married.
After the United States entered WWI in 1917, the government needed people to decode spy messages. Elizebeth and William set up the country's first code-breaking unit, the Riverbank Department of Ciphers. Their ground-breaking techniques became the basis for cryptology--the study of secret codes.
The couple moved to Washington, DC to work as code breakers for the Army's Signal Corps. Together, Elizebeth and William invented a scientific method to create ciphers--complicated codes--using only a pencil and paper. This was a necessary invention in order for field soldiers to send secrets.
After the war ended, Elizebeth stopped working full time in order to write books and start a family.
Elizebeth was hired by the Coast Guard hired her to catch bootleggers, she testified at criminal trials, and she trained the staff for the Coast Guard's first code-breaking unit.
But her home and family were also important to her.
When the United States entered WWII, the Office of Strategic Services had gathered communications from around the world, but they were unable to break their codes. Enter Elizebeth. She created another code-breaking unit and hired and trained mathematicians, physicists, and chemists.
After Elizebeth helped capture Nazi spies, the U.S. Postal Service asked for her help. They had seized letters from an American spy; on the surface they appeared to be about buying and selling dolls. But Elizebeth decoded the real message.
The war's "Number One Woman Spy" was sentenced to ten years in prison. Elizebeth wrote, "It is obvious that even a casual examination of these letters, indicates their suspicious nature."
Elizebeth's work was top secret. She was even threatened to be put in prison if she spoke about it to anyone--even her family! Thirty-five years after her death her secrets were finally declassified.
BACK MATTER
Five pages of interesting back matter concludes this book. The first is dedicated to "Codes and Ciphers" and includes instructions on how to decode the Caesar cipher written on the ribbons throughout the book. The second page is step by step directions for cracking a code, the third is information on Cryptology today--including hints for creating online passwords. The last two pages, a timeline and bibliography, are the end pages--what a clever use of space in this 42-page picture book!
March 7, 2022
We liked that the book had strips of code woven throughout the illustrations of the book, along with what is needed to decipher it at the end. We also liked that there were actual quotes from Elizebeth in the illustrations in every set of pages. Great layout!
This amazing woman was the first major cryptanalyst in America and worked for the government on top secret projects, training other cryptanalysts, helping to change the course of both world wars. She did some of this while being a wife and a mother as well. Her secrets were classified until 2015, before which bit much was known of her great efforts for our country.
This amazing woman was the first major cryptanalyst in America and worked for the government on top secret projects, training other cryptanalysts, helping to change the course of both world wars. She did some of this while being a wife and a mother as well. Her secrets were classified until 2015, before which bit much was known of her great efforts for our country.
July 10, 2021
LibroFM had this as an audiobook of the month, so I took advantage of the free download. I would not recommend this as an audiobook, however! They added in sound effects that were really distracting. I am glad to have learned about Elizabeth Friedman and cryptology, but wish I'd had the illustrated book to read instead.
July 19, 2021
I listened to an audio version from Libro.fm who provided a free copy to teachers.
This production was slow-paced and filled with fun sound effects, perfect for a young audience. The engaging content was partly biographical and partly and codes.
This production was slow-paced and filled with fun sound effects, perfect for a young audience. The engaging content was partly biographical and partly and codes.
August 4, 2021
Quick introduction to Friedman's life as a code breaker. She started out studying literature and through a chance meeting, slowly became known as one of the top most code breakers during WWI and WWII. Existed around the same time as Turing.
September 6, 2022
Loved the illustrations, the easy-to-read story and insight into an extraordinary woman. This would be a great read aloud for younger kids. What a great way to get girls interested in STEM. Loved “meeting” this woman in history!
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July 16, 2021SLJ recommends this book for grades 2 - 4
Subject: Cryptographers -- United States -- Biography -- Juvenile literature.
Note: Watercolor and gouache drawings
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.
Award-winning author Laurie Wallmark has written picture-book biographies of women in STEM fields ranging from computer science to mathematics, astronomy to code breaking. Her books have earned multiple starred reviews, been chosen as Junior Library Guild Selections, and received awards such as Outstanding Science Trade Book, Cook Prize Honor, and Parents' Choice Gold Medal. She is a former software engineer and computer science professor. She lives in Ringoes, New Jersey.
Brooke Smart loves telling stories through her illustrations, especially stories about brave women from history. She has always loved to read, and growing up she could be found nightly falling asleep with a book on her chest. Illustrating books as a professional artist is a lifelong dream come true. She is living the busy, tired, happy, wonderful dream in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband, their three kids, and their naughty cat named Sunshine
Subject: Cryptographers -- United States -- Biography -- Juvenile literature.
Note: Watercolor and gouache drawings
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.
Award-winning author Laurie Wallmark has written picture-book biographies of women in STEM fields ranging from computer science to mathematics, astronomy to code breaking. Her books have earned multiple starred reviews, been chosen as Junior Library Guild Selections, and received awards such as Outstanding Science Trade Book, Cook Prize Honor, and Parents' Choice Gold Medal. She is a former software engineer and computer science professor. She lives in Ringoes, New Jersey.
Brooke Smart loves telling stories through her illustrations, especially stories about brave women from history. She has always loved to read, and growing up she could be found nightly falling asleep with a book on her chest. Illustrating books as a professional artist is a lifelong dream come true. She is living the busy, tired, happy, wonderful dream in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband, their three kids, and their naughty cat named Sunshine
August 14, 2022
Amazing nonfiction picture book & love the illustrations and illustrated quotes.
June 3, 2021
Elizebeth Smith was born on August 26, 1892 in Huntington, Indiana. She went to college, majoring in English literature, and also studied Latin, Greek, and German. [As an article in the Smithsonian relates, Elizebeth’s father, a wealthy Indiana dairy farmer, hadn’t wanted her to pursue higher education. She went anyway, borrowing the tuition from him at a six percent interest rate.]
After graduating with a degree in English literature, she got a job in 1916 at Riverbank Laboratories in Geneva, Illinois, one of the first facilities in the U.S. founded to study cryptography. She was hired for a project related to the rumor of encrypted messages in the works of Shakespeare.
During World War I, several U.S. Government departments sent people to Riverbank for training. One such person was William F. Friedman, who would become Smith’s husband. In 1921, the now-married Friedmans left Riverbank to work for the U.S. War Department in Washington, D.C. as cryptanalysts, or code breakers, for the Army Signal Intelligence Service. Being female, Elizebeth earned only half of what her husband made, according to her memoir. The work of both of them, however, was classified Top Secret Ultra.
After the war, she and her husband moved to the U.S. Coast Guard, decoding communications written by liquor smugglers during Prohibition. The author relates that in her first three months of work, Elizebeth decoded two years of backlogged messages. “She was the first person in the United States to use the new science of cryptology to catch smugglers.” She often testified at criminal trials brought against the scofflaws, helping to convict twenty-five of them.
When World War II began, Elizebeth became part of a code-breaking unit for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). [The agency is now known as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).] She and her team broke the Nazi Enigma codes at the same time as the British team led by Alan Turing. (Because of wartime secrecy, each group did not know about the work of the other.) She also was part of a team that discovered the identity of a Japanese spy living in New York.
All of Elizebeth’s work was again classified as Top Secret Ultra, and not declassified until 2015. The author notes:
“Elizebeth was a true heroine of both World War I and World War II. She is now considered one of the most gifted and influential code breakers of all time. Yet no one knew how many codes she broke, how many Nazis she stopped, how many American lives she saved . . . until now.”
William Friedman died in 1969, and Elizebeth in 1980. William, but not Elizebeth, was inducted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame. Both are buried together in Arlington National Cemetery. MentalFloss reveals:
"Inscribed on their double gravestone is a quote, not by William Shakespeare, but commonly attributed to Francis Bacon: "KNOWLEDGE IS POWER." It too is a cipher—when decrypted, it reads "WFF," William Friedman's initials.”
Back matter in this book for ages 6 and up includes information on “Codes and Ciphers” as well as an exercise on cracking codes. There is also background on cryptography today, a timeline, and selected bibliography.
Illustrator Brooke Smart uses watercolor and gouache for her artwork which is studded with historical touches, quotes by Elizebeth in different fonts, and depictions of coded messages.
Evaluation: Kids have always liked the idea of coded messages, and this story as well as its explanations throughout of how coding works will appeal to them. In addition, they will learn about a woman who defied the expectations of her time and the restrictions of her gender and literally helped save the world.
Rating: 4.5/5
After graduating with a degree in English literature, she got a job in 1916 at Riverbank Laboratories in Geneva, Illinois, one of the first facilities in the U.S. founded to study cryptography. She was hired for a project related to the rumor of encrypted messages in the works of Shakespeare.
During World War I, several U.S. Government departments sent people to Riverbank for training. One such person was William F. Friedman, who would become Smith’s husband. In 1921, the now-married Friedmans left Riverbank to work for the U.S. War Department in Washington, D.C. as cryptanalysts, or code breakers, for the Army Signal Intelligence Service. Being female, Elizebeth earned only half of what her husband made, according to her memoir. The work of both of them, however, was classified Top Secret Ultra.
After the war, she and her husband moved to the U.S. Coast Guard, decoding communications written by liquor smugglers during Prohibition. The author relates that in her first three months of work, Elizebeth decoded two years of backlogged messages. “She was the first person in the United States to use the new science of cryptology to catch smugglers.” She often testified at criminal trials brought against the scofflaws, helping to convict twenty-five of them.
When World War II began, Elizebeth became part of a code-breaking unit for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). [The agency is now known as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).] She and her team broke the Nazi Enigma codes at the same time as the British team led by Alan Turing. (Because of wartime secrecy, each group did not know about the work of the other.) She also was part of a team that discovered the identity of a Japanese spy living in New York.
All of Elizebeth’s work was again classified as Top Secret Ultra, and not declassified until 2015. The author notes:
“Elizebeth was a true heroine of both World War I and World War II. She is now considered one of the most gifted and influential code breakers of all time. Yet no one knew how many codes she broke, how many Nazis she stopped, how many American lives she saved . . . until now.”
William Friedman died in 1969, and Elizebeth in 1980. William, but not Elizebeth, was inducted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame. Both are buried together in Arlington National Cemetery. MentalFloss reveals:
"Inscribed on their double gravestone is a quote, not by William Shakespeare, but commonly attributed to Francis Bacon: "KNOWLEDGE IS POWER." It too is a cipher—when decrypted, it reads "WFF," William Friedman's initials.”
Back matter in this book for ages 6 and up includes information on “Codes and Ciphers” as well as an exercise on cracking codes. There is also background on cryptography today, a timeline, and selected bibliography.
Illustrator Brooke Smart uses watercolor and gouache for her artwork which is studded with historical touches, quotes by Elizebeth in different fonts, and depictions of coded messages.
Evaluation: Kids have always liked the idea of coded messages, and this story as well as its explanations throughout of how coding works will appeal to them. In addition, they will learn about a woman who defied the expectations of her time and the restrictions of her gender and literally helped save the world.
Rating: 4.5/5
July 25, 2021
Another great book on the contributions of “forgotten” women - the code-breaking appears to be on par with that of Alan Turing and yet she was unknown until 2015.
I listened to the audiobook courtesy of Libro.fm- which was interesting & well narrative- based on other reviews I think the physical book also sounds well laid out & illustrated
I listened to the audiobook courtesy of Libro.fm- which was interesting & well narrative- based on other reviews I think the physical book also sounds well laid out & illustrated
July 19, 2021
A topic sure to interest upper elementary readers, this illustrated biography is well-written. Some readers may need a little more info about WWI and WWII but there is a lot to learn about codes and spies in this one woman's biography. I would have liked an author's note on how she learned about Elizabeth Friedman when it was only 5-6 years ago that Mrs. Friedman's files were fully declassified. The notes about codes and cryptography today are good, along with a timeline. There is a bibliography but no source notes for the quotations used throughout the book.
July 24, 2021
An exciting biography about a women's intelligence and her contribution to the study of code breaking.
July 20, 2021
An excellent picture book biography of a woman whose name should be as familiar as Alan Turing's for her cryptography work on behalf of the US government.
Visually, the ciphers running throughout the book became a bit distracting, and I worry that while the theme is cohesive the design of the book might overwhelm some young readers. Still, a terrific purchase for 3-5th grade.
Visually, the ciphers running throughout the book became a bit distracting, and I worry that while the theme is cohesive the design of the book might overwhelm some young readers. Still, a terrific purchase for 3-5th grade.
July 16, 2021
Looking for a STEM or coding text? I definitely learned something new by reading this picture book. I had no idea that a woman was behind what we know today as coding.
July 10, 2021
Delightful nonfiction story about a topic I knew very little about, but now I am intrigued! The audio via libro.fm was fabulous!
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