Unbreakable: The Spies Who Cracked the Nazis' Secret Code
on Goodreads (245)
What’s inside...
Unbreakable is the true story of the codebreakers, spies, and navy men who cracked the Nazis’ infamous Enigma encryption machine and turned the tide of World War II. As the Germans waged a brutal war across Europe, details of every Nazi plan, attack, and troop movement were sent over radio. These crucial messages were encoded with a powerful cipher, rendering them inaccessible unless one could unlock the key to the secret code behind the Enigma machine. The book includes more than sixty historical photos, and tells the gripping story of one of the most perilous war-time codebreaking efforts. While Hitler advanced his troops and deadly German U-Boats patrolled the seas, a dedicated team of codebreakers, spies, and navy men worked tirelessly to decipher the encrypted messages. Their success or failure in cracking the code had the potential to determine the outcome of World War II.
Age
10-14
Length
272 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the characters felt when they were trying to crack the code?
What qualities do you think made the characters successful in their mission?
Why do you think teamwork was important in decoding the Nazi's secret messages?
If you were part of the team, what ideas would you have contributed to crack the code?
What did you learn about the impact of intelligence and espionage during the war?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by relating the story to your child’s experiences of solving difficult problems or puzzles, to build a personal connection.
Encourage your child to think about the qualities and skills that the characters showed, such as persistence and teamwork, and how they can apply these qualities in their own life.
Discuss the historical context briefly to give your child a clearer understanding of the storyline and its significance.
Ask your child how they would feel in the characters’ situations, encouraging empathy and deeper engagement with the story.
Highlight the importance of working towards a greater good, which is a pivotal theme in the book, and discuss how your child can apply similar principles in their interactions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance in the face of adversity
Explanation: The book details the relentless efforts of the spies and codebreakers who worked tirelessly to decrypt Nazi communications.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of resilience and persistence, whether in tackling difficult school subjects or overcoming personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: The spies and codebreakers had to work together, pooling their diverse skills to achieve a common goal.
Real-World Application: This instills the value of collaborative problem-solving and respecting different perspectives in group projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Explanation: The characters in the book use logic and creativity to crack complex codes, demonstrating sharp analytical skills.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to approach problems thoughtfully and consider various solutions, which is crucial in academic learning and everyday decisions.
Example Lesson: Importance of Secrecy and Trust
Explanation: The success of the missions depicted in the book relied heavily on the spies' ability to keep secrets and trust each other implicitly.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the significance of confidentiality and trustworthiness, especially when dealing with sensitive information or personal secrets of friends.
Example Lesson: Learning from History
Explanation: By reading about historical events and figures, children gain insights into different eras and learn from past successes and mistakes.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand the impact of history on the present and encourages them to learn more about different cultures and times.