Children’s Book Week is the annual celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading.
Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Every year, events are held nationwide at schools, libraries, bookstores, homes — wherever young readers and books connect! Obviously, this year, events may look a little different. But, there are still ways to celebrate.
Starting Monday, May 4, 2020, and through Sunday, May 10th, I’ll be sharing a children’s book here to encourage a love of reading. If you’d like to print off some activity pages related to Children’s Book Week, click HERE. For more information and resources related to Children’s Book Week, click HERE.
SPIES, CODE BREAKERS, AND SECRET AGENTS
A World War II Book for Kids
By: Carole P. Roman
Published: January 7, 2020
Publisher: Rockridge Press
Non-Fiction
I have sung my praises on Roman’s writing many times. She has a knack for writing about history for kids that holds their attention and keeps them interested in learning more. WWII can be a difficult topic to explain to kids. This is a topic first covered usually in middle school, but this book can offer an opportunity for learning in upper elementary too.
Most kids are interested in spies and secret agents and only know what they see on TV and in movies. Roman explains some of the earliest spies started from various countries as early as WWI. She gives a brief history of how WWII began and the countries involved. Then she dives into the inner workings of being a spy during the war. She doesn’t just talk about spies for Americans but also those for Germany, England, Japan, and Russia.
I found the explanations of the tools, hidden weapons, and clothing used to help them convey or conceal their messages to be fascinating. Even if the spies were caught and sent to prisons, there were still ways to send hidden messages into them, like putting maps for escape on playing cards.
There are several famous spies talked about in the book. Some we have never heard of, but others who were quite famous, like chef Julia Child and well-known author Roald Dahl. Their bios are quite fascinating, especially that of Tokoyo Rose.
For kids that are history buffs or interested in becoming a CIA Agent will find this book especially interesting. Roman gives enough information to show kids that war is dangerous and spies don’t necessarily perform tasks that are without harm to innocent people or themselves. But, she doesn’t focus on that. She sticks to the facts and shares it from all sides of the battlefront. A glossary at the end of the book helps with understanding unknown terms and a bibliography helps with resources for more learning.
Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of over fifty children’s books. Whether it’s pirates, princesses, or discovering the world around us, her books have enchanted educators, parents, and her diverse audience of children. She hosts a blog radio program called Indie Authors Roundtable and is one of the founders of the magazine, Indie Author’s Monthly. She’s been interviewed twice by Forbes Magazine. Carole has co-authored two self-help books. Navigating Indieworld: A Beginners Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing with Julie A. Gerber, and Marketing Indieworld with both Julie A. Gerber and Angela Hausman. She published Mindfulness for Kids with J. Robin Albertson-Wren and a new joke book called The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids: 800+ Jokes!
She writes adult fiction under the name Brit Lunden and is currently helping to create an anthology with her mythical town of Bulwark, Georgia with a group of indie authors. She lives on Long Island near her children and grandchildren.
To purchase a copy of SPIES, CODE BREAKERS, AND SECRET AGENTS, click the photo below:
To see all the books I’ve reviewed by Carole P. Roman, click HERE.
Other WWII books for kids that you might like:
Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to make a purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
Posted Under Book Review, Carole P Roman, Children's Book Week, Children's books, Kid Konnection, non-fiction, Women's history, WWII