WOW this was a fascinating topic, learning about spies in the American Revolution. We took a week-long detour to explore this topic!
A really fun, hands-on activity idea is to have your kids make codes and ciphers for each other to solve. My four made a scavenger hunt for Dad. Each puzzle he solved led him to the spot of the next puzzle!
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Picture Books about Spies in the American Revolution
A Spy Called James
Link to archive.org
This is riveting story and we even saw an exhibit about James Lafayette at Mount Vernon.
“After his resounding defeat at the battle of Yorktown, British general Charles Cornwallis made a point of touring the American camp, looking for the reason behind his loss. What he didn’t expect to see was James, an escaped enslaved person who had served as a guide to the British army. Or at least that’s what Cornwallis was led to believe. In fact, James wasn’t actually a runaway―he was a spy for the American army.
“But while America celebrated its newfound freedom, James returned to slavery in Virginia. His service as a spy hadn’t qualified him for the release he’d been hoping for. For James the fight wasn’t over; his next adversary was the Virginia General Assembly. He’d already helped his country gain its freedom, now it was time to win his own.” (from Amazon)
Anna Strong: a Spy During the American Revolution
“Anna Smith Strong (1740–1812) was a fearless woman who acted as a spy for George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Recruited by Washington’s spymaster, Major Benjamin Tallmadge, she joined the Culper Ring, a group of American spies. General Washington placed a huge amount of trust in his spies, and Anna helped pass him important messages at a great risk to herself and her family.” (from Amazon)
Chapter Books about Spies in the American Revolution
Anna Strong and the Revolutionary War Culper Spy Ring
Recommended for ages 8-14
In addition to telling the history of the Culper Spy Ring and Anna Strong’s role in it, this book contains a mystery to solve using the following spycraft tools: Excerpts from the Culper Code Book, Pigpen Code, Arnold Cipher, and Cipher Wheel.
“It’s a true story of the American Revolution: Meet the secret Culper Ring, a network of American spies fighting against the army of British redcoats, and historical figures like George Washington and the soon-to-be-infamous Benedict Arnold. And meet Anna Strong, an unsung heroine who found ingenious ways to communicate top-secret messages to her fellow spies, helping to save the American colonies from British rule.
“It’s a mystery to solve: There are clues embedded in the book’s text and illustrations. Spycraft materials, including a cipher wheel, come in an envelope at the beginning of the book. Use them to decode Anna’s hidden message and discover the secret mission she undertook for the Culper Ring!” (from Amazon)
The Top-Secret Adventure of John Darragh, Revolutionary War Spy
Recommended for ages 8-11. Short, graphic novel, link to archive.org
“Under the nose of the enemy army . . . a boy carries a dangerous secret. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1777. John Darragh’s family has sided with the rebel colonists during the Revolutionary War. But the family lives across the street from the headquarters of the British army, their enemies. The Darragh family spies on the British, and John takes messages to his brother in the rebel camp. Can John sneak past the British soldiers this time?” (from Amazon)
George Washington, Spymaster
Recommended for ages 10-14, link to archive.org
We listened to this on audiobook, but it may have been easier to visually see codes and ciphers in a physical book. This is full of stories of the various spies and spy activity that took place during the American Revolution.
“Follow the action as 1775 dawns, and Washington finds himself in serious trouble. At war with Britain, the world’s most powerful empire, his ragtag army possesses only a few muskets, some cannons, and no money. The Americans’ only hope is to wage an invisible war—a war of spies, intelligence networks, and deception.
“Enter the shadowy world of double agents, covert operations, codes and ciphers—a world so secret that America’s spymaster himself doesn’t know the identities of some of his agents. Meet members of the elusive Culper Ring, uncover a “mole” in the Sons of Liberty, and see how invisible ink and even a clothesline are used to send secret messages. You can even use Washington’s own secret codebook, published here for the first time. Experience at close quarters the successes and failures of the Americans as they strive to outwit the British. Meet the chief of covert operations, one Benjamin Franklin, and several other surprising players in America’s secret war.” (from Amazon)
Night of Soldiers and Spies
Recommended for ages 7 to 10. My 10-year olds found this to be a light hearted story for their free reading time.
“Ranger, the time-traveling golden retriever with search-and-rescue training, travels to Colonial America to help the patriot cause! Ranger’s next mission finds him in the middle of the Revolutionary War. There he meets Isaac Pope, a fisherman turned soldier for the Continental Army. When General George Washington is in need of a spy to cross into enemy territory, Isaac is chosen for the dangerous task. Ranger must help Isaac remain safe and undetected, or the battle — and their lives — will be lost.” (from Amazon)
George Washington’s Spy
Recommended for ages 9-12, link to archive.org
This historical fiction fantasy follows George Washington’s Socks. We enjoy time-travel stories, and this one transports seven friends to Boston in 1776 at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. The end notes contain historical information.
“Ten-year-old Matt Carlton and six friends are accidentally swept back in time–to Boston in 1776! The British now occupy the city, and redcoat guards are everywhere! While the boys are being held captive by a den of Patriot spies, the girls have been taken in by a wealthy Tory family.The pox is rampant; danger lies around every corner–and there’s no hope for returning home to their own time. How will these seven children survive?” (from Amazon)
George Washington’s Secret Six (Young Reader’s Adaptation)
Recommended for ages 10-12
This book focuses mainly on the activity and codes of the Culper Spy Ring. Written in 40 bite-sized chapters, it is just right for the 10-12 age group. The appendixes include an extensive timeline and index.
“Washington soon realizes he can’t win with military might. Instead, he must outsmart the British, so he creates a sophisticated intelligence network: the top-secret Culper Spy Ring. Drawing on extensive research, Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger tell the fascinating stories of these long unrecognized spies: a reserved merchant, a tavern keeper, a brash young longshoreman, a curmudgeonly Long Island bachelor, a coffeehouse owner, and a mysterious woman.
“This vivid and accessible young readers adaptation of the New York Times bestseller features an exclusive new introduction, extensive back matter, and eye-catching art throughout. Chronicling a crucial moment in American history, this historical thriller will excite and inspire the next generation of patriots.” (from the publisher)