An excellent multifaceted chapter book full of mystery. While the plot keeps readers captivated, it gives the a sense of other historical periods (WW2 and the American Civil War). As the title suggests, the book also teaches interesting true facts about about the use of codes and ciphers. Additionally, the book deals with sibling rivalry in an insightful manner.

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The characters are likeable as well as intriguing. They take us back to a time when people were less afraid of one another and neighbours benefitted from talking to each other. Besides being a well-written educational children’s mystery, the moral background of the book is heart-warming.