Alvin's Secret Code

After rereading The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet I wondered about other childhood favorites. I became obsessed with ciphers as a result of reading this book at age 9 or 10. I didn't remember the story, but I memorized the frequency table, 40+ years ago, and I'll probably be reciting it in my dotage with Alzheimer's. The story seems not especially memorable: Alvin and his friend Shoie happen upon an encoded message in the gutter while walking home from school. Convinced they're on the trail of a nefarious plot, they seek decoding assistance from Mr Link, former WWII spy. Mr Link bursts their bubble, but begins to teach them (and Alvin's little sister The Pest who is tagging along) about codes and ciphers. Fortunately for the show more kids and their newly acquired skills, a real mystery appears: Miss Fenwick is seeking the treasure stolen from her multiple-greats grandfather during the Civil War. And so is "Mr Smith". A critical moment occurs in the library, where the kids encounter "Mr Smith" attempting to decipher the message that tells where the treasure is buried... At the end of the book is an appendix, with more information about ciphers. This I recall is what grabbed me. Warning: there's a cringey bit about slavery, which probably seemed benign when the book was written in 1963, and that didn't register with me as a kid circa 1968.

(read 3 Jul 2011) show less

WARNING: Contains Spoilers

This is a very funny children's novel featuring a 12 year old boy named Alvin Fernald who is interested in espionage. He and his friend Shoie, who often gets words muddled find a written note in the street which they seek to understand. They and Alvin's sister the Pest visit a Mr. Link who is known to have been a spy during World War 2. He gives them advice about cryptology which becomes utiliarian when a Miss Fenwick unexpectantly visits the Fernald home

A childhood favorite revisited. Sexist by today's standards, but it was great to see it again.

Learn about cryptology and codes through a fun story. Reprint from 40 years ago and loved by 4th graders everywhere.

I recognized this cover. Another book from my childhood. Wish I could remember more about it.

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