PDF of cross-curricular ideas
KS2
Years 4-6
Travel back in time and find out how the Girl Guides helped the UK and other Allied Powers win the First World War, with Holly Webb’s historical adventure, A Girl’s Guide to Spying.
What is A Girl’s Guide to Spying about?
A Girl’s Guide to Spying is a completely captivating First World War mystery for readers aged nine and over, celebrating the history of Girlguiding.
The resilience, strength, courage and intelligence of young girls take centre stage in a time of uncertainty and fear.
This story proves Girlguiding is so much more than camping and badges. It’s an organisation that gives girls and young women the tools and confidence to do anything they set their mind to.
The first in a new series, A Girl’s Guide to Spying introduces readers to 13-year-old Phyllis and her younger sister, Annie.
Looking for adventure and fun, they’re thrilled to be asked to join the 1st Holburn Guide Company. Their parents worry the Guides are unladylike. However, they soon see how much their daughters gain from being a part of the group.
Recognised for their abilities, some of the girls are recruited to work at Watergate House – headquarters of MI5. Surrounded by spies and war secrets, this is serious work. Phyl is thrilled to be offered the job of messenger at Watergate House.
With her older brother fighting at the front, she really wants to do something to help. Thoughtful and intelligent, she’s a fast learner and a quick thinker.
When a man goes missing, along with an important document, she must use everything she’s learned at Guides to find clues, unscramble ciphers and reveal who’s to blame. Could there be a spy at Watergate House?
Why teach it?
With its wonderfully engaging mystery full of secret codes and double agents, this adventure will have independent readers from Year 4 onwards completely engrossed.
Kate Heap is a primary English consultant, children’s book reviewer, and author of the Developing Reading Comprehension Skills series (£21.99 per book, Brilliant Publications).
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