The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II (Scholastic Focus)
Scholastic Inc. 2024
Great fit for 7th grade
Reading level and content both target 6th grade and up · ages 11+
Themes include World War II history
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Genre
Themes
- codebreaking and cryptography
- women in STEM
- courage
- teamwork
- patriotism and service
- perseverance
- secrecy and ethics
- World War II history
About this book
This narrative nonfiction follows ten real teenage girls recruited to Bletchley Park, where they learned to crack enemy codes and keep lifesaving secrets during World War II. Candace Fleming blends vivid storytelling with archival photos to show how sharp minds, persistence, and teamwork helped the Allies. It’s ideal for middle school readers who enjoy true stories of history, puzzles, and STEM. Readers are drawn to the high stakes, clever problem‑solving, and the spotlight on young women changing the course of a war.
Setting: Bletchley Park and the British home front during World War II
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II (Scholastic Focus) right for my child?
Yes — The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II (Scholastic Focus) is a great fit for 7th grade. The reading level is AR 7.7, which is typical for 7th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 11+ (6th grade and up). Themes include codebreaking and cryptography, women in STEM, courage.
How long does it take to read The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II (Scholastic Focus)?
At a typical 7th grade reading pace, The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II (Scholastic Focus) takes around 7.8h to finish. The book has 82,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II (Scholastic Focus) have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II (Scholastic Focus) has an AR quiz available, worth 12 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II (Scholastic Focus)?
The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II (Scholastic Focus) has an AR reading level of 7.7, which places it at a 7th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.