The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys & Steve Sheinkin: Content Guide

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Publication Date: Oct 2024

Synopsis:

Summer, 1940. Nineteen-year-old Jakob Novis and his quirky younger sister Lizzie share a love of riddles and puzzles. And now they’re living inside of one. The quarrelsome siblings find themselves amidst one of the greatest secrets of World War II—Britain’s eccentric codebreaking factory at Bletchley Park. As Jakob joins Bletchley’s top minds to crack the Nazi’s Enigma cipher, fourteen-year-old Lizzie embarks on a mission to solve the mysterious disappearance of their mother.

The Battle of Britain rages and Hitler’s invasion creeps closer. And at the same time, baffling messages and codes arrive on their doorstep while a menacing inspector lurks outside the gates of the Bletchley mansion. Are the messages truly for them, or are they a trap? Could the riddles of Enigma and their mother’s disappearance be somehow connected? Jakob and Lizzie must find a way to work together as they race to decipher clues which unravel a shocking puzzle that presents the ultimate challenge: How long must a secret be kept?


What To Expect:

Readers can expect a middle-grade historical fiction set in 1940 that follows two teenage siblings solving mysteries, leading to adventures in puzzles and code breaking.


Content Warnings:

Language: None

Sexual Content: A crush and hand holding between young teens

Violence: Mild – Bombs, war time violence

Substance Use: Mention of adult drinks

Prejudices: Antisemitism

Religious Themes: None

Other Topics: Missing parent, loss of loved ones, spying/lying


Please keep in mind that some things may be missed in content warning reviews and this is meant to be a general overview without spoilers. Use your own discretion with the information provided to make the right choice for you! View our guideline here.

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