The Clothesline Code

2022 Multicultural Skipping Stones Honor Award
2022 Honors Winner Storytelling World Resource Awards
Reviewer's Choice: Midwest Book Review
PenCraft Award Winner
Lucy Ann and Dabney Walker didn't have to risk their lives to spy for the Union army. The couple had already risked everything to escape slavery themselves.
But in early 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, the couple was determined to help defeat slavery for everyone-no matter the risk. Together, they created a secret code disguised as laundry on a clothesline. Their plan was incredibly dangerous: it required Lucy Ann to sneak into Confederate territory to steal military secrets, while Dabney took the vital information she gathered to the Union army.
This true story of sacrifice and bravery shows us that when we have courage and compassion for the world around us, even the simplest items can become powerful tools for change.

Janet Halfmann is a multi-award-winning children's author who strives to make her books come alive for young readers and listeners. Many of her picture books are about animals and nature. She also writes picture book biographies about little-known people of achievement. Janet has written more than forty fiction and nonfiction books for children. Before becoming a children's author, Janet was a daily newspaper reporter, children's magazine managing editor, and a creator of coloring and activity books for Golden Books. She is the mother of four and the grandmother of six. When Janet isn't writing, she enjoys gardening, exploring nature, visiting living-history museums, and spending time with her family. She grew up on a farm in Michigan and now lives in South Milwaukee, WI. You can find out more about Janet and her books on her website www.janethalfmannauthor.com.

Trisha Mason attended the Herron School of Art + Design (IUPUI), where she graduated with honors and a BFA in drawing and illustration. She has illustrated the children's book "Be Brave, Be Brave, Be Brave" by F. Anthony Falcon and has art featured in the book "She Votes" by Bridget Quinn. Mason currently resides in Plainfield, IN, where she enjoys creating watercolor pet portraits and taking walks with her fiancé, Jack, and her dog, Gilly. You can view more of Trisha's work on her website www.trishamasonart.com or her Instagram @trishabmason.