PROJECT 31
BOOK CODE
Kids love codes. Playing spy is fun, but it can also be educational. The book code is an easy introduction to cryptology and can cultivate an interest in higher-level math skills.
It is also an easy way to leave a private message for the family in the event of a major disaster. If your child finds this book code interesting, it may pay to research dead drops, code words, and other useful ideas from the “spy” world.
Material:
• Two copies of the same book—they must be identical. I like to use mass market fiction paperbacks—just about any used book store will carry the exact same versions of paperback authors like Stephen King, Dean Koontz, trade westerns, or (not for kids) romance novels. . . .
• Paper and Pen
Procedure:
1. Decide what book you will use as a code and share it with your partner.
2. Create a short message like “I went to town, will be back at 2 p.m.”
3. Take each word of your message and find that word somewhere in your book.
4. For each word write down the page number, line number, and word number.
4.1. Example: a word on page 7, third line down, fifth word would become 7.3.5, or something similar depending on the method you devise.
4.2. Using the first paperback printing of the book 52 Unique Techniques for Stocking Food for Preppers, the code 19-1-1 101-1-3 4-25-9 translates to “This is fun.”
Remember to always use the SAME version of the book, not just the same book
This is not a foolproof code; today’s computers can easily break book codes, but it is fun to experiment with secret codes.
For a more foolproof code, come up with predetermined code words that can be encrypted into a book code (or conversation) for instance “I am going on vacation” could mean “I went to grandma’s house.”
Lesson Learned:
Learning critical thinking skills, observation, and self-discipline is not always easy, but this project introduces these concepts in a fun way.
Cryptology opens doors to higher level math, and some understanding of codes is vital to learning computer science.