Top Secret

When I was seven, my favorite book was Top Secret by Paul Janeczko, so needless to say I have always loved codes and ciphers, but National Geographic’s new book of the same name (written by Crispin Boyer and Suzanne Zimbler) is even more fun. It features bold, eye-catching National Geographic images that will draw even reluctant readers in and seems to span just about everything cool about spy stuff from gadgets and conspiracy theories to unsolved mysteries and codes. It even covers things like magicians and prison breaks.

At thirteen, the only weakness of the book were the sections on “how to be a spy,” but I might have liked those suggested activities when I was a bit younger. Even my mom is fascinated by all the different areas it covers, and there is enough detail to really draw you in. Still, it’s a survey book, so my favorite book at seven does have more actual information on the Caesar cipher, although this one will definitely get you interested and started immediately, if only to solve the puzzles along the bottom edge of the book! It’s so fun and dense, you’ll probably re-read this one for a while.