Code Girls: The True Story of the American Women Who Secretly Broke Codes in World War II (Young Readers Edition)

by Liza Mundy Narrated by Christine Lakin

Overview

Recruited by the US Army and Navy from small towns and elite colleges, more than 10,000 women served as codebreakers during World War II. While their brothers and boyfriends took up arms, these women moved to Washington and learned the meticulous work of codebreaking. Their efforts shortened the war, saved countless lives, and gave them access to careers previously denied to them.

A strict vow of secrecy nearly erased their efforts from history; now, through dazzling research and interviews with surviving code girls, best-selling author Liza Mundy brings to life this riveting and vital story of American courage, service, and scientific accomplishment.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Praise for Code Girls: Young Readers Edition:

* "The book reads like a movie script, with interesting characters and non-stop action bringing to life the history these women were making and living...excellent."—School Library Connection (starred review)

"Mundy highlights the lives of the many brilliant women who secretly served the code breaking mission against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan.... A solid resource for younger researchers."—School Library Journal

"An entertaining presentation on a fascinating topic."—Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Code Girls:
A New York Times bestseller!


"The book is a winner. Her descriptions of codes and ciphers, how they worked and how they were broken, are remarkably clear and accessible. A well-researched, compellingly written, crucial addition to the literature of American involvement in World War II."


—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Similar to Nathalia Holt's The Rise of the Rocket Girls and Margot Lee Shetterly's Hidden Figures, this is indispensable and fascinating history. Highly recommended for all readers."—Library Journal (starred review)

"Mundy strikes historical gold in this appealing tale of wartime intelligence work."—Publisher's Weekly

"Fascinating.... Addictively readable.... [Mundy] displays a gift for creating both human portraits and intensely satisfying scenes."—Boston Globe

Kirkus Reviews

2018-08-27

When the United States entered World War II, it quickly became clear that, in order to win the war, the military must break enemy code.

With so many men serving as soldiers, smart women were called upon to join this secret effort. Initially, upper-level female college students were invited to apply. As the need for codebreakers grew, schoolteachers, especially those skilled in mathematics and sciences, were also called upon. The work was top secret. For many participants, these jobs offered opportunities that far surpassed their culturally circumscribed expectations, since young white women were, at the time, mostly viewed as destined for lifelong roles of wives and mothers. While the text acknowledges the existence of the Army's segregated, black codebreaking unit, it focuses on the work of the white women. In this adaptation of Mundy's book for adult readers, the text alternates between descriptions of the progress of the war and the lives of a few of the codebreakers. Sidebars offer additional information, but much of it is later repeated in the narrative. Well-integrated black-and-white period photographs (the adult version's are presented in one sheaf of plates) and the additions of a timeline, glossary, and further reading in the backmatter round out this adaptation.

It's an entertaining presentation on a fascinating topic, but given its length, it doesn't extend the audience too much beyond what its original could expect to reach. (timeline, glossary, bibliography, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 11-15)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173543660
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	10/02/2018
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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