Rachel and Joon are best friends out to solve a mystery: Did Anna Smith Strong, a purported spy during the Revolutionary War, leave clues to a treasure? If so, how can two kids figure out clues from more than two centuries ago? Spy Ring, by Sarah Beth Durst follows the two on an adventure of discovery where they find out about their own strengths as well as the history of their town.
Their hunt starts with the inscription on a ring passed down through Anna Smith Strong’s family. That leads them to her gravestone, which contains another clue. Working together, they follow a trail, deciphering clues along the way. The two sleuths have to work fast because Joon may have to move away from their hometown of Setauket on Long Island, New York.
Readers will love following along as the two bike around their town looking for answers. When they decide to trust a local historian and Rachel’s soon-to-be stepdad with the details of their quest, they find what they were looking for, even if it’s not what they expected.
Spy Ring is fun as a modern adventure as well as a historical look at how spies operated in the Revolutionary War. I recommend it for ages 9 to 12.
The author provided a copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.
