Surprising Spies: Unexpected Heroes of WWII by Karen Gray Ruelle

Author Talk with Karen Gray Ruelle

Recommended for readers age 8 to 12

Would you spy for your country? Discover the World War II spies who lived among the shadows and the ones who lived in the limelight - disguised in plain sight!

Josephine Baker. Virginia Hall. Roy Hawthorne. These are but a few of the daring spies who risked it all to deliver and protect crucial intel for the Allied powers. From housing refugees and resistance members, extracting secrets from diplomats, to developing a groundbreaking, war-changing code and keeping it top secret for over twenty years, the actions of these legendary World War II spies are unbelievable but true.

This thoroughly researched collection of biographies profiles several courageous individuals who resisted the Axis Powers via espionage and heroism. Includes numerous photos and features such fascinating accounts like that of Moe Berg, a major-league baseball player and potential assassin; Noor Inayat Khan, a Sufi princess and wireless operator; and Juan Pujol Garcia, a storyteller and double agent. Also features sections on invisible ink, ciphers and codes, resistance fighters and infamous missions such as Operation Mincemeat.

Hardcover book 2020

Holiday House Publishers