Janeczko manages to stay true to history while still keeping a lively tone.
—School Library Journal

A wealth of information in an engaging package that should find an enthusiastic audience, particularly among middle schoolers.
—Kirkus Reviews

With well-chosen subjects (including many women and African Americans who used their marginalized positions to gather information) and contagious enthusiasm for the spy world’s ‘tantalizing mysteries,’ this makes a strong choice for both avid and reluctant readers alike.
—Booklist

Provides solid details along with fascinating snippets in an easy-to-follow text in which he tells stories about his subjects and the way they were trained…provides background details and places the role of spying more particularly within the context of American history and politics.
—VOYA

Will appeal to anyone who is interested in spies and espionage throughout the history of our country
—Library Media Connection

Janeczko's lively writing portrays history with all of the drama and flair of a top-notch spy novel.
—SLJ Teen

03/01/2020

Gr 7 Up—This is a brief overview of the history of espionage affecting the United States, told through spy stories. Arranged chronologically, it covers more than 200 years of spying from the Revolutionary War to the end of the 20th century and illustrates how spycraft shifted from amateurs to a trained, professional force. Each chapter contains two spy tales and two articles, each on a single topic (such as World War I Choctaw code talkers or the Berlin tunnel). The intriguing content is effectively read by Ron Butler with a soft voice and smooth presentation. VERDICT This title is a fascinating and entertaining read that will be of interest to history buffs and lovers of true spy stories.—Denise Garofalo, Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY

Gr 5–8—Since the Revolutionary War, espionage has created fascinating scenarios involving some quite unlikely participants. From Benedict Arnold and Mata Hari to the lesser-known Elizabeth Van Lew and Juan Pujol, Janeczko delves into their stories with delicious detail, drawing readers into a world of intrigue and danger. Did you ever wonder why invisible ink works? How a code breaker deciphers a message? Or whether dentistry could affect a secret agent's success? The answers to these questions and more can be found here. Each chapter covers a historical era and chronicles the maturation of spying, while primary-source photographs are interspersed throughout, lending an authentic feel to each section. A complete bibliography and source notes appear at the end. Janeczko manages to stay true to history while still keeping a lively tone.—Kelly McGorray, Glenbard South High School, Glen Ellyn, IL