SPY RING

Two modern-day kids discover the truth about an American Revolutionary War-era female spy through a treasure-hunt adventure in their hometown.

With codewords and secret signals perfected, best friends Rachel and Joon are ready to spend their summer practicing spycraft - especially if they can uncover secrets like the one Joon's parents have been keeping, that his family is about to move out of town. When eavesdropping leads them to a ring rumored to have belonged to Anna "Nancy" Smith Strong - according to local Long Island legend, the only female member of George Washington's famed Culper Spy Ring - they think they've hit the jackpot. Then they discover Nancy left a coded message in the ring! Decoding her message leads to another cryptic clue, and then another, and soon Rachel and Joon are racing to decipher a series of puzzles that must surely lead to hidden treasure!

WINNING COMBINATION OF FICTION AND FACT
For fans of Stuart Gibbs and CITY SPIES and perfect for classroom use, this fun invented treasure hunt + real historical mystery = an engaging contemporary story laced with information about the Revolutionary spy network that helped win America's freedom.
HIGHLIGHTS OVERLOOKED HEROES
Makes the case for the need to look beyond the acknowledged heroes of history to celebrate the significant contributions of individuals from historically marginalized backgrounds.
EMPOWERS YOUNG READERS
Following their own hunches and research, young characters uncover evidence that changes the interpretation of a historical figure, modeling the impact kids can have on real-world issues.

Sarah Beth Durst is the award-winning author of over twenty fantasy books for adults, teens, and kids, including The Queens of Renthia series, Drink Slay Love, and The Stone Girl's Story. She won an ALA Alex Award and a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award, and has been a finalist for SFWA's Andre Norton Award three times. Visit her at sarahbethdurst.com.