Lassieur, Allison. Cyber Spies and Secret Agents of Modern Times.

Lassieur, Allison. Cyber Spies and Secret Agents of Modern Times. Capstone Publishers  2017     64p   $33.99  ISBN 978-0-7565-5498-9 elem/ms  Nonfiction  E-BN          

Even in modern times, spies play a key role in the "sharing" of classified information (legitimately or illegitimately) between nations, organizations and individuals. Today many of the spies have been from Russia and "hide in plain sight" or disenchanted Americans such as Edward Snowden. The emphasis of this book is not so much on the HUMINT (human intelligence gathering) but on the variety of people and tools used in cyber spying.
     

From the black-framed pages and the redacted table of contents, to the font and information related, this book is an engaging read about a topic that is little explored at the upper-elementary and middle-school levels. While most adults are aware of of the clandestine side of computer spying and hacking, many students today are less than aware of the "intelligence" aspects of cyber spying. Readers of this book will learn not just about the spies but also about the tools of the trade. The cover image is sure to grab middle-school readers. All of the photos in the book are rendered in shades of black, white and sepia, further enhancing the secretive and sinister aspects of spying. Sidebars throughout the book explain spying techniques and “Did you know?” items such as a lack of powers to arrest (page 23) and the NROL-71 spy satellite (page 57). There are also text boxes that tackle myths about a spy’s life, and "Q & A" sections throughout the book with questions such as: “Do I have to speak several foreign languages?” (pg. 25) and “I can’t wait to get all the spy gadgets. I do get gadgets, don’t I?”

The book concludes with a timeline, a glossary, a list of additional resources (print and web), a list of critical thinking/common core resources, sources notes, a bibliography, and an index. 

This series entitled Spies! is complete in four volumes covering spies during specific periods of time: World War I, World War II, the Cold War, and modern times. This is a most fascinating set of books.   

Summary: Even in modern times, spies play a key role in the "sharing" of classified information (legitimately or illegitimately) between nations, organizations and individuals.

Spies                                                                   --Lynn Fisher