Youngsters will be fascinated by this engaging biographical selection of an original thinker, which includes elements of STEM and history and provides a picture of a dedicated, resilient woman.
Kirkus Reviews
Wallmark’s lively, detailed text maximizes the appeal of Friedman’s story, focusing on the demand for Elizebeth’s skills apart from those of her acclaimed husband, and Smart’s digitally assembled watercolors sport a vibrant stylishness.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
An engaging introduction to a unique woman in a fascinating field.
School Library Journal
Painted in watercolor and gouache and digitally assembled, the book’s attractive illustrations often incorporate a quote or a stream of letters representing code.
Booklist
In this picture book biography, young readers will learn all about Elizebeth Friedman (1892–1980), a brilliant American code breaker who smashed Nazi spy rings, took down gangsters, and created the CIA's first cryptology unit. Her story came to light when her secret papers were finally declassified in 2015. From thwarting notorious rumrunners with only paper and pencil to “counter-spying into the minds and activities of” Nazis, Elizebeth held a pivotal role in the early days of US cryptology. No code was too challenging for her to crack, and Elizebeth’s work undoubtedly saved thousands of lives. Extensive back matter includes explanations of codes and ciphers, further information on cryptology, a bibliography, a timeline of Elizebeth’s life, plus secret messages for young readers to decode.