Lincoln's Flying Spies

Reach for this book when your child expresses a deep, technical curiosity about how things work or when they feel discouraged that their niche hobbies don't seem to matter in the 'real world'. This fascinating historical account follows Thaddeus Lowe, whose childhood obsession with flight evolved into a vital intelligence tool during the Civil War. It beautifully illustrates how personal passion and scientific innovation can intersect with pivotal moments in history. While categorized as history, the book reads like an engineering adventure, emphasizing themes of perseverance, intellectual bravery, and the trial-and-error nature of invention. It is ideally suited for middle schoolers (ages 10-14) who enjoy seeing how one person's creativity can change the course of a nation. Parents will appreciate the rich archival materials that bridge the gap between abstract history and tangible, human experience.