How George Washington's spies saved America. In 1780 France entered the American Revolution. A French fleet was bringing crucial aid to the patriots. Did the British know? Would they intercept? George Washington needed answers - fast. To get them, he turned to his most trusted spies. Upon Secrecy follows the members of the Culper Spy Ring on their most daring and important mission. Washington couldn't outfight the British. Could he outspy them?
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From School Library Journal
Grade 4–6—This well-written book focuses on the most famous exploit of the Culper Spy Ring, a trusted group based in New York City that provided intelligence to General George Washington. In 1780, they alerted him to the British fleet's movements while the Americans were awaiting the arrival of French troops and naval support. Without this information and Washington's counter ruse, the American chances of winning the war were nil. With some fictionalizing of dialogue and thoughts, the story moves briskly, focusing on individual members of the spy ring and their roles in conveying the message to Washington. The acrylic illustrations are detailed and authentic, although a few characters appear wooden. Overall, the paintings are a pleasing addition, helping to bring some lesser-known war heroes to life. The book concludes with a helpful time line, an extensive bibliography, and a list of places to visit referenced in the book. Also of interest is information about "sympathetic stain," an invisible ink that enabled messages to be passed secretly. John Miklos's How the Revolutionary War Was Won (Enslow, 2008) is not as specific as Upon Secrecy.—Lisa Crandall, formerly at Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI END
Review
Castrovilla reconstructs in mannered language ("He dared not pray that these words cease fire") a true feat of Revolutionary War spy work: the transmission of vital intelligence about whether the British in New York knew about an arriving French fleet...The painted pictures of these men and others - with, mostly, fixed expressions of anxiety - ...add bits of suspense, plus a sense of period. --Kirkus Reviews
The Culper Spy ring is a little known group who were vital to the American cause during the Revolutionary War. With New York firmly under British control, General Washington arranged a network of spies to pass on vital information about British troop movement. The author introduces these men and explains how the organization functioned. Their greatest triumph was when the group passed on false information to the British that allowed French ships to bring much needed supplies and reinforcements to the American army. Because only a few individuals knew the membership of the Culper Spy Ring, much of the known information comes through family stories and rumors. The author researched the men who made up Culpers and tried to portray their thoughts and speech in a manner that remains true to their character. There is information about what happened to the men after the war. A timeline, author's notes, and a list of historic sites provide additional information. This is an overlooked aspect of American history that readers will find interesting. --Library Media Connection
The Culper Spy ring is a little known group who were vital to the American cause during the Revolutionary War. With New York firmly under British control, General Washington arranged a network of spies to pass on vital information about British troop movement. The author introduces these men and explains how the organization functioned. Their greatest triumph was when the group passed on false information to the British that allowed French ships to bring much needed supplies and reinforcements to the American army. Because only a few individuals knew the membership of the Culper Spy Ring, much of the known information comes through family stories and rumors. The author researched the men who made up Culpers and tried to portray their thoughts and speech in a manner that remains true to their character. There is information about what happened to the men after the war. A timeline, author's notes, and a list of historic sites provide additional information. This is an overlooked aspect of American history that readers will find interesting. --Library Media Connection
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You'll be on the edge of your seat,
This review is from: Upon Secrecy (Hardcover)
I love the way Castrovilla gets inside the heads of real life characters and brings them to life. Right away we are pulled into the story of espionage and the different factions of the Revolutionary War become so real. Upon Secrecy will have you on the edge of your seat - even though you know how it ends! Castrovilla is definitely one of my new favorite historians for children.
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