Upon Secrecy

by Selene Castrovilla, Jeff Crosby (Illustrator), Shelley Ann Jackson (Illustrator)

How George Washington's spies saved America. In 1780 France entered the American Revolution. A French fleet was bringing crucial aid to the patriots. Did the British know? Would they intercept? George Washington needed answers—fast. To get them, he turned to his most trusted spies. Upon Secrecy follows the members of the Culper Spy Ring on their most daring and important mission. Washington couldn't outfight the British. Could he outspy them?

Genres: American Revolution, Historical Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Hi everyone! I'm a lifelong book lover, and when I was a kid, books saved my life. I was so lonely, but when I held a book and travelled to the place where those characters lived, I was somewhere else, where I had friends. I recently encountered a character like me, Abigail, in TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED by Chelsea Sedoti.
Isn't it exciting to find a piece of yourself in a book?

There's a piece of myself in all of my books, no matter the genre. Yes, I write in several genres, much to the dismay of my editors and, often, to myself. But I love literature, and my muse cannot be confined to one type of story. And no matter the "label", all books have humanity in common. I write about humanity. I want to understand the un-understandable. I want to explore dark thoughts and darker intentions. I want to know why people hurt each other.
And while the rational part of me knows this is impossible, the irrational writer part of me keeps trying, one manuscript at a time.

My goal is to connect with your hearts!

Please visit https://linktr.ee/selenecastrovilla.

Reviews

[Kelly Hager · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to be honest; my knowledge of the Revolutionary War is not what it should be. I know the basic highlights, but I had never heard of the Culper Spy Ring. (So it's probably good that Selene Castrovilla sent me her three picture books, because I enjoy learning new things.)

And things about spies? YES PLEASE! It was also incredibly interesting to me that one of the major participants in this spy ring was a Quaker who went against his religious beliefs to help the US become...well, the US and not a group of colonies. I would like to learn more about this spy ring.

While obviously I know the outcome of the Revolutionary War, it was still a surprisingly tense experience reading this book. (Probably because even though of course I knew that we became a country, that doesn't mean that we necessarily won this particular episode of combat.)

These books are just completely delightful, and would be a great addition to any kid who is interested in learning more about how we became a country.

Recommended.

[Bookbag_Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

- We Make Sacrifices So Others Won't Have To.

-Every Post Is Honorable In Which Man Can Serve His Country.

"The soul is made for action, and cannot rest till it be employed. Idleness is its rust. Unless it will up and think and taste and see, all is in vain."

“I received their threats for coming there that made me almost tremble knowing my situation and business."

Sympathetic Stain - Came from John Jay's [Founding Fathers} brother - Sir James Jay

TRAVELED TO // New Jersey, New York,
MET ALONG THE WAY // The Culpers, Robert Townsend, Austin Roe, Abraham Woodhull, Caleb Brewster, Benjamin Tallmadge, George Wsahington, Sir Henry Clinton

[JL Salty · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one… had a lot of words, and the events were unclear to me. All the art likes the same, honestly.

[Shelley Ann Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing tale of the Culver spy ring that George Washington operated out of New York during the Revolutionary war. The book is illustrated by my husband, Jeff Crosby, and me. It has been included on the Bank Street Best Books list and nominated for a Beacon of Freedom Award!

[Marianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written and researched book about a little known part of Revolutionary history that combines a little fact with a little fiction for a very engaging read for the young history buff.