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Top Secret Files
Top Secret Files: The American Revolution, Spies, Secret Missions, and Hidden Facts From the American Revolution
George Washington had his own secret agents, hired pirates to fight the British, and helped Congress smuggle weapons, but you won't learn that in your history books! Learn the true stories of the American Revolution and how spies used musket balls, books, and laundry to send messages. Discover the female Paul Revere, solve a spy puzzle, and make your own disappearing ink. It's all part of the true stories from the Top Secret The American Revolution. Take a look if you dare, but be careful! Some secrets are meant to stay hidden . . .
Ages 9-12
Ages 9-12
128 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 4, 2021
Informative
What a wonderful book that has information that the ordinary history buff didn't know existed. I enjoyed this book very much. This is the first book of the author that I read and am already reading the next book of the author. This book is great for all ages and not such as the young readers who should read all of Stephanie Bearce 's books of historical significance. Enjoy this book that is well written and very informative for all ages to relish.
George Washington and all the spy masters would have enjoyed it.
What a wonderful book that has information that the ordinary history buff didn't know existed. I enjoyed this book very much. This is the first book of the author that I read and am already reading the next book of the author. This book is great for all ages and not such as the young readers who should read all of Stephanie Bearce 's books of historical significance. Enjoy this book that is well written and very informative for all ages to relish.
George Washington and all the spy masters would have enjoyed it.
January 19, 2019
Really interesting read about American Revolutionary spying. The book has activities and points toward other resources as well; I gave it to a 5th grade teacher at my school to see if it would work for her class. An exciting find for me!
July 15, 2023
I really like this one. I learned so much, and especially found the chapter on Peter Francisco good. There were a lot of typos in my copy.
December 30, 2023
Has twenty-four stories of spies, secret missions, secret weapons, and special forces operating during the American Revolution. A great deal of it surprised me!
March 3, 2015
I’m a history buff so I read a lot on various periods, both fiction and nonfiction. When an author comes up with things I don’t know about well known figures, it surprises me. Bearce has done it again.
As with the other books in the series, this one is all abou spies, secret missions and facts long hidden. I was a little surprised when she started with George Washington. Seriously? Washington? I may know a lot about ol’ George, but I didn’t know he had worked as a spy for the British.
In addition to giving readers little known information on big names like Washington, Bearce also sets the record straight about a few people that readers may have heard of but actually know very little about. Everyone knows Benedict Arnold traitor, but Bearce fills in the details about how he first fought for the US and then later turned spy. The one that really pulled me in was Paul Revere. Bearce not only fills readers in on the details of the big ride but she also tells a bit more about Revere’s day job as a silver smith. It wasn’t just fancy dishes. Revere also did dental work and had worked as on early forensics investigator.
In addition to well-known figures, Bearce pulls in hereos I had never heard of including Nancy Morgan Hart from Georgia who not only spied but fought hand to hand. Then there was Peter Francisco, a giant of a man who carried a canon on his shouldiers to keep the British from capturing it.
As always, Bearce’s books are peppered with hands on activities from sharp shooting (safe to do indoors) and writing invisible messages.
The information is quirky and fascinating which will help turn young readers on to history. Written in brief chapters, this book is suitable for reluctant readers who will be able to read for a while and then take a break.
Unlike some series, each of these books stands on its own. You can start with the American Revolution since it came first. Or read about World War II if that is a favorite time period. Wherever you start, you are going to want to pick up the other books in the series to see what other authors haven’t been telling you!
–SueBE
As with the other books in the series, this one is all abou spies, secret missions and facts long hidden. I was a little surprised when she started with George Washington. Seriously? Washington? I may know a lot about ol’ George, but I didn’t know he had worked as a spy for the British.
In addition to giving readers little known information on big names like Washington, Bearce also sets the record straight about a few people that readers may have heard of but actually know very little about. Everyone knows Benedict Arnold traitor, but Bearce fills in the details about how he first fought for the US and then later turned spy. The one that really pulled me in was Paul Revere. Bearce not only fills readers in on the details of the big ride but she also tells a bit more about Revere’s day job as a silver smith. It wasn’t just fancy dishes. Revere also did dental work and had worked as on early forensics investigator.
In addition to well-known figures, Bearce pulls in hereos I had never heard of including Nancy Morgan Hart from Georgia who not only spied but fought hand to hand. Then there was Peter Francisco, a giant of a man who carried a canon on his shouldiers to keep the British from capturing it.
As always, Bearce’s books are peppered with hands on activities from sharp shooting (safe to do indoors) and writing invisible messages.
The information is quirky and fascinating which will help turn young readers on to history. Written in brief chapters, this book is suitable for reluctant readers who will be able to read for a while and then take a break.
Unlike some series, each of these books stands on its own. You can start with the American Revolution since it came first. Or read about World War II if that is a favorite time period. Wherever you start, you are going to want to pick up the other books in the series to see what other authors haven’t been telling you!
–SueBE
May 12, 2015
TOP SECRET FILES: The American Revolution
by Stephanie Bearce
Just how many tea parties were there? Benedict Arnold, a hero!? And what’s that woman doing by that canon!? TOP SECRET FILES: The American Revolution is another great book about war secrets, spies and secret missions, written by Stephanie Bearce.
Readers will learn about slaves and housewives who became spies. They’ll read about the tall, redheaded man who was a spy before becoming president of the United States, and about a famous inventor who became a spy when he was seventy years old. They’ll discover the truth about Paul Revere’s Ride, and how pirates worked for the government.
Along the way they can learn some spy skills of their own! Crack secret codes, send a hidden message inside a hard-boiled egg, or make a spy-blocker with a toothpick. If you haven’t had enough when you’ve finished reading, you can check out more books and websites listed in the back of the book.
This is another excellent read for students and adults alike who want the inside scoop about what happened behind the scenes of the American Revolution.
by Stephanie Bearce
Just how many tea parties were there? Benedict Arnold, a hero!? And what’s that woman doing by that canon!? TOP SECRET FILES: The American Revolution is another great book about war secrets, spies and secret missions, written by Stephanie Bearce.
Readers will learn about slaves and housewives who became spies. They’ll read about the tall, redheaded man who was a spy before becoming president of the United States, and about a famous inventor who became a spy when he was seventy years old. They’ll discover the truth about Paul Revere’s Ride, and how pirates worked for the government.
Along the way they can learn some spy skills of their own! Crack secret codes, send a hidden message inside a hard-boiled egg, or make a spy-blocker with a toothpick. If you haven’t had enough when you’ve finished reading, you can check out more books and websites listed in the back of the book.
This is another excellent read for students and adults alike who want the inside scoop about what happened behind the scenes of the American Revolution.
February 7, 2015
“Washington did not really outfight the British, he simply outspied us,” asserted one major from England who fought in the American Revolution. TOP SECRET FILES shows just how tricky George Washington could be as the top general and spymaster, but it also details the important contributions of other extraordinary patriots who came from diverse backgrounds. Young readers will learn about the important events of the Revolutionary War through entertaining and amazing stories of ingenuity and daring. When I lived in Italy, my kids attended local schools, so I was responsible for their training in the English language and American history. This book, had it been around, would have been so fabulous for both!
April 13, 2015
I didn't realize this was a book for kids - but it didn't matter. I loved it anyway. It's a great way to have kids learning about history in a fun way; it has short 2 or 3 page stories about the different people or events. The brevity of each story means you're not overwhelming kids with too much reading and too much information. In addition, there are fun activities and extras, like how to make your own secret ink, etc. I plan on giving this book to my cousin who has school-age boys I think will love this.
This book was given to me through a goodreads giveaway, but the words of this review are my own.
This book was given to me through a goodreads giveaway, but the words of this review are my own.
October 18, 2018
Top Secret Files: The American Revolution is a book about, you guessed it, the American Revolution. It includes tons of facts, stories, and activities. This book was quite an easy read for me and I already knew most of the facts and stories as would, I think many others my age. Some things that many kids would love about this book are the Spy Training sections and the fun facts that are almost on every page. Overall, I would probably recommend Top Secret Files: The American Revolution to kids in 3rd and 4th grade/ ages 7-9.
Review by Masha K, Age 12, Boston Mensa
Review by Masha K, Age 12, Boston Mensa
April 15, 2015
Jam-packed with fascinating facts, historical images that bring the text to life, visually appealing graphics, and interesting sidebars, TOP SECRET FILES: THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION is an excellent addition to any home or school library. Short chapters will appeal to younger readers as well as busy adults, and the “Spy Training” hands-on activities at the end of each section make history fun. Highly recommended!
February 10, 2015
Interesting facts abound in this volume of The Top Secret Files. Did you know Spy Daring Diccey married after the war and had 22 children?Or that Paul Revere was a dentist?How about that George Washington planned to use an underwater vessel,TURTLE, to attack the enemy?
April 30, 2015
Free from Goodreads First Reads
Intrigue, mystery, spies, oh my!
Who knew George Washington had RED hair!?!
GREAT BOOK!!
Intrigue, mystery, spies, oh my!
Who knew George Washington had RED hair!?!
GREAT BOOK!!
July 25, 2015
Learned a few things about this historical period that I did not already know - so kudos for teaching me something new!!!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews