SPY RING

Two 11-year-olds follow a trail of clues laid down over 200 years ago.

In this intelligent and extremely well-plotted tale, best friends and budding spies Rachel and Joon set out to discover the role of Anna Smith Strong, an actual historical person and probable member of the Culper Spy Ring, a group of spies who operated under George Washington during the Revolutionary War in their Setauket, Long Island, community. While they’re hiding in the attic of Rachel’s house, the two overhear Dave, Rachel’s soon-to-be stepdad, mention to her mother that he plans, on the day of their marriage, to give Rachel a family ring that purportedly belonged to Strong. Intrigued and impatient, the kids sneak into the grown-ups’ bedroom, find the ring, and remove enough tarnish to read the words “Find me” inscribed in it. Starting with this cryptic message, the two embark on a historical scavenger hunt (without telling their parents). Solving each challenging clue leads to another as they uncover history in their own hometown. Readers learn historical facts about the Culper Spy Ring, Strong’s unsung involvement, and how history is a series of puzzle pieces put together to tell a story. Rachel and Joon are delightfully feisty and drily humorous in their perceptions of adults (never underestimate kids!) as they use intelligence and persistence to bring to light an underrecognized woman from history. Rachel is Jewish; Joon’s name cues East Asian heritage.

Compelling and fascinating; brings history to life.