Code Breaker. Groundbreaker.

8/24/2021

Code Breaker, Spy Hunter:
How Elizebeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars
by Laurie Wallmark art by Brooke Smart narrated by Romy Nordlinger

Wallmark’s thoroughly researched picture book biography Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizabeth Friendman Changed the Course of Two World Wars, spotlights the achievements of one woman in the evolving science of cryptography.

Elizebeth began her work during World War I as a cryptanalyst for the Army Signal Corps. In addition to decoding wartime communications, she and her husband developed the first government unit devoted to cryptology. She also worked for the Army, Coast Guard, FBI, and the Office of Strategic Services, later to become the CIA. Her expertise resulted in the conviction of thirty-three German spies during World War II. Elizebeth identified the woman responsible for the secret “doll” messages that revealed the location of wartime ships She and her team also cracked the Enigma Code developed by Germany.

Listen to a sample

While emphasis is on Friedman’s significant contributions to the field of cryptology, the narrative presents her as a wife and mother who enjoyed gardening and literature, especially the works of Shakespeare.

Wide-eyed Elizebeth is shown as an active woman. Smart’s illustrations reflect the passage of time. One feature that is particularly effective is the incorporation strings of code and quotations into the illustrations. Words and letters are a seamless extension of the art.

The volume contains a coded message to solve, definitions of relevant terminology, a timeline, and an explanation of electronic cryptology with emphasis on protecting online personal information..

Wallmark's picture book biographies highlight the contributions of women to the fields of communication, technology, and mathematics. Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizebeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars is a recent addition to her body of work. Her biographies emphasizing STEM are excellent additions to classroom and library collections.