Who can resist the prospect of communicating by secret code? Paul Janeczko provides a solid introduction to an impressive array of codes, easing into his subject with explanations of Pig Latin and Morse code. After covering familiar ground, the author moves on to more obscure ciphers, such as Rail Fence and Greek Skytale, to name just a few. Each code and cipher is first placed within its historical context; a clear description of its structure and mechanics follows. Those eager to use this new knowledge will appreciate the many examples of codes and ciphers included throughout the book, as well as the directions on how to solve them. For those who get stumped, answers are thoughtfully provided in an appendix. References to the use of codes and ciphers in literature will direct interested readers to stories by Arthur Conan Doyle and Edgar Allan Poe. Etgay ackingcray! (Age 9 and older)

"The author's upbeat, positive tone is refreshing and his enthusiasm about his topic is contagious." — SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (starred review)

Pssst! Do you know the difference between a code and a cipher? Can you tell a St. Cyr slide from a Cardano grille? Did you know that the discovery of a substitution cipher caused Mary Queen of Scots to lose her head? Don't look now, but packed into this practical field guide is everything a young person needs to know about the art of concealment - making and breaking codes, mastering cipher systems, and experimenting with secret writing. Offering plenty of hands-on practice sessions, tips for creating a code-making kit, sidebars on secret codes in history, and an amusing pair of spies to illustrate techniques, Paul B. Janeczko's tantalizing TOP SECRET won't stay a secret for long.