Review: The Enigma Girls

“The Enigma Girls” tells the story of several British young women who served during World War II helping to break codes. Some were recruited, others seemed to end up at Station X by accident. All were made to sign the Official Secrets Act in which they promised to never talk about their wartime jobs. These young women were gifted mathematicians or linguists. They largely came from middle and upper class families. They were dedicated to doing their part to beat the Nazis.

Candace Fleming does a fantastic job describing the dedication of these women and the conditions under which they worked (often horrible). I particularly appreciated that she included the women’s concerns about the ethical considerations of their jobs. There are introductory code-breaking activities and a thorough author’s note that describes why these women started sharing their experiences after decades of silence.

Classroom Considerations: “The Enigma Girls” is written at roughly a 5th/6th grade level. Because of the complexity of the story, it would be great for middle school students. The language is not overly simplistic so high school students would enjoy this book as well.

This book is great for kids who are interested in World War II or stories of strong women who have ignored society’s expectations.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Scholastic Focus, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.