Spy on History: Victor Dowd and the World War II Ghost Army

Gr 4–8—The second book in this interactive nonfiction series is just as compelling as the first. Readers are introduced to Victor Dowd, a sergeant in World War II who was part of the little-known organization called the Ghost Army: a group of artists and sound engineers who used camouflage, inflatable tanks, sound effects, and more to trick the Germans and help the Allied forces win the war. The book is interspersed with images, many full-page, and uses a generous font size, both of which make it a quick, accessible read. Despite the trim size, the story is packed full of details that will amaze readers. A historical note and short bibliography are included in which the author explains how the fictionalized text was based on real interviews and letters. There are also interactive elements; students are encouraged to use spycraft materials included in the book to crack a code and solve a mystery. Answers to the clues are printed at the end (and will be sealed in the final version of the book). Unraveling the clues is tricky and will require close reading and a careful examination of all images. Reluctant readers and kids engaged by puzzles will love working through the mysteries.