The Secret of the Simple Code

by Nancy Faulkner, Mimi Korach (Illustrator)

Paul is a high school student on summer break. He is also a football player with a bad leg. He is helping his aunt and uncle with their farm when he finds a coded message near the Inn in town. He ends up on the trail of two desperate jewel thieves.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

A native of Lynchburg, Virginia, Ms. Faulkner developed her love of history growing up and taught school in Virginia before moving to New York City where she wrote many books for children.

Reviews

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul is stuck feeling sorry and miserable for himself in the hills of Virginia, while recovering from an injury that has smashed his dreams of being a "Really good football player." You can't play with one leg shorter than the other.
When he meets a very annoying neighbor girl, who doesn't understand his loss nor pity him, and a mountain boy who's problems at home are worse than any Paul ever had, things began cycling until before they know it the three are bound together while trying to solve a mystery concerning three mysterious men leaving secret messages at the inn.
The girl who sings with a haunting voice, the mountain boy who dreams of becoming a Scientist and a had-been football player who finds a new dream, make a very well written trio. I love books where characters decidedly grow and mature, when comradeship isn't built over night and they have to grow and mature together!