Top Secret: A Handbook Of Codes, Ciphers And Secret Writing Read Free Books and Download eBooks
"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.
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Candlewick; Reprint edition (April 11, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0763629723
ISBN-13: 978-0763629724
Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 0.4 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #43,626 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #27 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > History > Military & Wars #63 in Books > Children's Books > Activities, Crafts & Games > Games > Puzzles #104 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Reference
Age Range: 9 - 12 years
Grade Level: 4 - 7
The book is well written and well illustrated. I think it would work best for kids from about 12 to 14. It starts with basic codes, and moves to more complicated ones, but always makes how they function quite clear. I list the ages to give a sensibility of the book; it is not "dumbed down". The book could be used by younger kids with some adult help, or for kids who are really interested. It would also be a good starting point for high school students.It tries hard to be as interactive as possible, always posing questions. It is a "practical" book, focusing on codes that students can use, as opposed to trying to be say a history book, that would delve deeply into say the WW II Enigma code. From the rating, you can tell I enjoyed it.
Although this book seems to be recommended for middle schoolers, I bought it for my just-turned 6-year-old son as a birthday gift. We had initially checked it out from our library and he absolutely loved it. Expect to find page upon page of engaging codes and ciphers. Parents are forewarned! Arm yourself with the patience to solve the numerous scribbled codes your kids are going to bring you. Fabulous book. I'm so glad we got our own copy. Another book I'd recommend is Martin Gardner's Codes, Ciphers and Secret Writing.
I bought this book for my 11-year-old brother for his birthday. The youngest of five, he's an understandably secretive kid; so I thought he'd enjoy this sneaky book. Of course, I had to read it first, because I'm one of those dastardly people who reads books before giving them to people. It's a great book; it gives a quick overview of the history of cyphers, but keeps it upbeat and snappy. It includes a dozen or more codes to learn and use, and encourages kids to be imaginative and modify them or create their own. A great, hands-on read. It made me wish I was a kid again with lots of time on my hands so I could write secret messages to my friends.
Written mainly for younger readers ( say from 8-18), but even older people can get some interesting ideas from this. I'm not seriously into codes and ciphers, but if anyone is, this would be too basic for them. OK for an introduction.
OK;...YEAH;COOL COVER! REGARDLESS OF THAT; THIS IS HONESTLY AN AWESOME PLACE TO START YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF CODES AND ETC.....VERY FUN BOOK;PERHAPS EVEN WRITTEN FOR THE YOUNGER STUDENT,..IT IS SUPER-PACKED WITH KNOWLEDGE RARELY STUDIED NOW-A-DAYS!!! CARTOONS;FUNNY SIDE NOTES;"HOME-WORK" AND SOMETHING SO COMPLEX;EXPLAINED IN A FUN AND EASY MANNER!!!---EVEN GOES IN-DEPTH WITH "INVISABLE INK" AND HOW OUR COUNTRY'S LEADERS AND FOUNDERS USED SECRET CODES AND SPYS TO WIN!!! NEATO!BUY THIS FOR THAT "SECRET SPY" IN YOUR FAMILY;OR IS THAT YOU!?!?
Wonderful! I like the way this book tells you (in understandable English) how secret codes were invented and how to write with them. The codes go through commonly heard codes and codes you have probably never heard of and can probably not find. No problems withe the book and the sneaky cover and title make kids like me want to read it!
I got this book to help me teach a spy class for elementary and middle school aged students. It's a winner. I recommended it to the parents. Great background and information, with lots of history and science. The projects are fun and will provide many hours of exploration. Top notch!
The book covers the basics of several types of ciphers as well as the basics of steganography. It's a great introduction at the middle school level. Younger kids could learn plenty from this but may need someone adept at explaining things from the material in the book.
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