This book is recommended by RC History for the grammar level (4th-6th grades) of Connecting with History volume 4A (American History).
It's a fantastic little book, delving deeply into George Washington's spy network and the early days of espionage in American history while also providing opportunities to practice reading in code and hints of how espionage still works today, for good or ill. I particularly loved how the font and design of the book evoke the American Revolutionary times as well. Even the title chapters reflect time times: "Spymaster at Work. In which Washington proves to be a master of deception, and help comes from a surprising source." A large variety of woodcuts, maps, and paintings (all in black and white) illustrate the text.
Kansas Dad even picked up this book and read a bit of it, granting it his approval as well. As a connoisseur of end notes, source notes, and other such appendices, I commend the author for his excellent work on those areas of the text as well. It's shockingly rare to find those well-done in works for young readers.
This work would appeal especially to boys, I think, especially in the 4th-8th grades. First Son read and narrated it this year, in sixth grade.
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