Customer Reviews

Alvin's Secret Code (Puffin Novel)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am the author's son. I was about the same age as Alvin is in the book when my Dad wrote this. We both shared a fascination with codes and ciphers and spent time challenging each other, etc. This book grew out of that fascination. This is my favorite of my Dad's many children's books and remains a "good read" today. The field of cryptography has changed greatly with the advent of computers, but kids still enjoy protecting their secrets and trying to "crack" those of their friends. Although I may be a bit biased, I give this my highest rating! -- Dave Hicks

This is one of my favorite books from childhood. I think of it often and it has even had a positive influence on my career. I am delighted to see that it is still in print. This book is an excellent choice for inquisitive young people.

Alvin Fernald, the reckless and nourishing child of this children's book by Clifford B. Hicks, is seeking adventure in Riverton. I was read Clifford B. Hick's first book in the fourth grade. 'Alvin's Secret Code' is the second in a series of books that range from overseas travel to cleaning up our planet. Each reveals a message to its young readers. Alvin, Willfred Shoemaker, and his young sister Daphne, embark on an adventure into secret agentry and buried treasure. Alvin and his friends stumble onto a mysterious situation. A distant relative of a Confederate spy seeks to solve a code he thinks will lead him to a treasure. Unless Alvin and his friends can beat him to it! This story and all the Alvin Fernald books have a special charm. Alvin Fernald was my friend and still is. His stories and adventures will live on. Bravo! Mr. Hicks.

"Alvin's Secret Code" twines a good introduction to cryptography with a Civil War mystery and is thoroughly enjoyable throughout. When Alvin and his friend Shoie discover an encoded message, they think they're on the trail of an international spy ring in their small town (the copyright date on the book is 1963). WIth the help of Mr. Link, a former spy who is now an invalid, they are able to decode the message, and Link teaches them about a number of different codes. Alvin's and Shoie's characters are engaging, their adventures exciting, and, best of all from my point of view, the book has an appendix with a number of cryptological methods and messages for children to play with. These are wonderful brain-stretchers, and they have good practical applications even for children who don't particularly love numbers.

I was asked recently to recommend a book for a 4th grade boy. It's been 30 years since I was that age, but one book immediately popped to mind: Clifford Hick's "Alvin's Secret Code". Ask yourself, how many fiction books will you remember three decades hence?

This is a great story for a child with a curious mind, as it deals with the issue curiousity and some of the trouble it can get you into -- and out of.

This is one of the coolest books I remember as a kid.... This wraps a lot of good historical info about codes and cryptography into a good story and there are a lot of things your kids can experiment with (like "invisible ink" using milk or lemon juice, and other different codes). I highly recommend this book as a good read and a good activity starter for your curious, bright kids ages 6 or 7 or older.

When I read this book I was in 4th grade and carried it around for months until the cover wore off. I have had a love of codes and ciphers ever since. I'm reading it to my own kids now and they are just as thrilled as I was. It's a shame it's out of print.

I originally read this book 30 years ago when I was in the sixth grade. I was fascinated by the treatment of codes and ciphers, and went on to read many other books about them. My son is just getting to the age where he can read these books. and so far has loved all the books in the Alvin Fernald series. I am delighted to see that it is being republished !!

An altogether remarkable book that not only teaches the basics of cryptanalysis, but is also a good story! I re-read it recently and found it to be just as enjoyable at 33 as it was when I was 13. Highly recommended. I will be anxiously watching to see if the rest of the series is republished.

I remember this book more fondly than any other from my childhood. I read this book twenty years ago when I my parents wanted me to read more but I was more interested in numbers. It has a great storyline, but also reflects a great deal of knowledge about cryptology along the way. Entertaining, educational and most of all - FUN!