Cracking the Code: The Human Quest to Uncover Secrets

by Rachel Kehoe, Meegan Lim (Illustrator)

Humans have been keeping secrets for generations and using cryptology to make sure those secrets don’t fall into the wrong hands.


From the development of ancient Greek ciphers, to the creation of the Enigma and today's CRISPR technology, codes and codebreakers have changed the course of history. Today cryptology addresses cybersecurity and the ethics of hacking our own genetic code.


Cracking the Code reveals the history of codes, explores why humans keep secrets and introduces us to coding heroes like the Navajo Code Talkers from World War II. Codes have defined human history and will map our digital future. Will you be the next codebreaker to unlock the mysteries behind the codes that shape our world?


The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

94 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2025

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humans have had the need to send secret messages for generations, whether to protect information in times of war or to quietly share the locations of hidden objects. As codes have been used, they have increased in their complexity, simultaneously requiring codebreakers to upgrade their own skills, as well. From ancient kings and kings to contemporary computers, codes and encryption still hold an important role in the world today, and they will continue to evolve as they have for centuries. This nonfiction text is well suited to upper elementary and middle school readers with an interest in cryptography and codes. Not only does the book detail some of the most well-known codes and ciphers from history, but it also provides relevant information about selected historical events surrounding these mysterious messages. The text is written in a narrative style, and it is subdivided in a way that is both accessible and appropriately organized, supporting readers in their mission to better understand the subject matter in this book. Though a large amount of information is included in this title, ample white space and frequent illustrations are included to ease any visual overwhelm that might occur with text alone. These images are a combination of illustrations and real photographs, connecting readers to thoughts and people across time in a stimulating and memorable way. Substantial back matter and carefully researched details make this book a high quality nonfiction selection, and it is especially well-suited to readers with an interest in both cryptography and history. This is a highly recommended addition to nonfiction library collections for confident young readers.