Middle Grade Review: Bletchley Riddle

 

With the war ramping up in England, Lizzie is supposed to traveling by ship to her grandmother in America. But at the last moment, she gets off the ship. She's too focused on discovering the truth about her mother. Lizzie doesn't believe that her mother's dead. She shows up at the address her brother gave her - an office in London. Her brother is actually at Bletchley Park working on breaking codes.

Lizzie gets herself a job as a messenger in the park. During her nonworking hours, she's desperate to uncover information about her mother's whereabouts. She must work fast because there's someone from MI6 hanging around the Park talking as if her mother were a spy - a traitor. Lizzie's determined to get answers and she's not afraid of asking for help - even if her brother isn't interested.

When a coded message appears, Lizzie knows the truth. Her mother isn't dead. A meeting is set. Could it actually be her mother or is it a trap?

My Thoughts: I loved this book! It's the perfect blend of mystery/thriller and historical fiction. It's set-up as a dual narrative between the siblings. I loved how different they were - and yet how they did come together. I loved the moments at Bletchley Park. I found them fascinating. I loved reading about the real people and how things worked at the Park. While this is a longer book, I didn't want to put it down. I needed to see how everything turned out. 

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have middle grade historical mystery for your school and public library's collection. 

Review: Rose Code

 

During World War Two, two girls meet up on the train heading for Bletchley Park. They have no idea how much their lives will change. They're not even sure what they'll be doing for Bletchley Park or how their efforts will be helping out during the war.

Osla, a debutant, wants people to stop thinking of her as a silly girl not capable of anything.

Mab wants to do her part - and maybe find a husband at the same time.

They end up rooming together at a local house with a family who has a daughter their age. Beth isn't terribly clever and she never stands up to her mother, but her mind works in the vest best of ways for Bletchley Park. It isn't long before Mab and Osla convince Beth to apply for a job too.

The three of them have wonderful and terrible moments. Through it all, they have each other - until their friendship falls apart. Now, years later, they come back together for one last mission.

My Thoughts: I'm a sucker for a good spy novel - and while this wasn't exactly what I imagined, I couldn't but this book down. The story had a dual timeline - one during the war and one years later right before Prince Philip married Princess Elizabeth. The three girls were also narrators. Each had secrets and each had something to prove. I loved learning more about Bletchley Park and the work they did. I liked the unlikely friendships. I really the present day story and how that came together.

* I loved the author's note and learning who the girls where based on in history. It was fascinating. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: A great WWII book - fans of the era will gobble this one up. Highly recommended for your library.