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Cat's Elbow and Other Secret Languages, The
Schwartz, Alvin. 1964. 83 pages.
Categories: Kids |
A book for kids and adults to learn Pig Latin and a dozen other Pig Latin work-a-likes.
Not a good book for kids to have on a long car trip (Are-way e-way ere-thay yet-way? Are-way e-way
ere-thay yet-way?).
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Codes, Ciphers and Secret Writing
Gardner, Martin. 1972. 96 pages.
Categories: Kids, Pen and Paper |
Gardner (the puzzle man) wrote a small crypto book in which he's constantly paying
homage to Kahn's "The Codebreakers" (also reviewed here). He presents the more interesting historical
crypto devices and an section on varied secret inks, each with different means of revealing
itself. My guess is that this book is appropriate for ages 11 and up.
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The man that has written over 20 bizzare books has come out with another. Cryptorunes
is a collection of cryptogram puzzles, done in weird eye-candy ways you'd expect from Pickover. Interesting
symbol fonts and fun quotes make this a recommended crypto puzzle book.
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How to Write Codes and Send Secret Messages
Peterson, John Lawrence. 1966, 12th Printing edition. 64 pages.
Categories: Kids, Newly Added Books |
This book was my introduction to secret codes as a child. Contains crafts for kids centered around codes and secret inks. Comes with a red square of transparency that "decrypts" the superimposed red and blue letters found throughout the book.
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Kids' Code and Cipher Book, The
Garden, Nancy. 1981. 164 pages.
Note: I have not read the newer Reprint edition (release date November 1991).
Categories: Kids, Pen and Paper |
One of the better crypto books for kids. The author introduces encryption methods in the context of an ongoing pirate story. Even the simplest
of permutation ciphers (i.e. rail line cipher) would probably stump your average note-confiscating 4th grade teacher. Hopefully, this book will
get back into print soon, but it shouldn't be to hard to track down a used copy online.
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More Codes for Kids
Albert, Burton / Warshaw, Jerry (Illustrator). 1979 (Currently out of print). 32 pages.
Categories: Kids |
Yet another short illustrated secret code book for kids. Worth picking up if you found it while browsing a used book store, but otherwise not work tracking down.
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Secret Code Breaker (vol I, II, III): A Cryptanalyst's Handbook
Reynard, Robert / null, LUWUU APQFT ZEOWS (Programming). 1999. 115 pages.
Categories: History, Kids, Pen and Paper |
Secret Code Breaker Vol I to III are a great set of books specifically aimed at a younger audience.
The books explore
traditional (pre computer) cryptography, and both come with software (DOS, but works with Windows) that lets you try out
the concepts you learn in each chapter. Packed with historical context, the reader is
challenged to decrypt messages that were actually sent during times of war. After reading
the books, I recommend them for readers ages 13 to adult. Adults who enjoy newspaper cryptograms will
really enjoy these texts.
(Books written from 1996 to 1999, and 115 pages on average.)
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Secret Codes for Kids
Allen, Robert. 2000. 224 pages.
Categories: Kids, Pen and Paper |
A collection of 106 codes to decipher, probably most appropriate for 5th grade or older. Would
keep an intelligent youth occupied on a long car trip. Nothing terrible novel here, but nothing wrong with it either.
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