In this case, Capture the Flag is not a game. It is the title of a book written by Kate Messner. The story begins at a fancy event in Washington D.C. in which the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star-Spangled Banner is on display. Attending this event are three middle school students; Anna is an inspiring journalist and the daughter of a U.S. senator. Jose is the son of one of the historians charged with the care and restoration of the flag. Henry is at the event with his aunt while his father is on his honeymoon with his new wife. Despite the intense security at this event and surrounding the flag, the flag is stolen that night. This quickly becomes a matter of national security and concern. The three kids have never met...until the next day when they are all trapped at the airport because of a huge snowstorm. While the three are trapped at the airport, they have reason to believe the flag is in fact in the airport and they work together to find the flag and the people responsible for its theft, clear the names of the innocent people accused of the crime, and get home safely. This book reminded me a lot of the movie, National Treasure...but kids are the heroes! It is part mystery, part suspense and part comedy. AND there is a dog in the story. I would recommend this book for 4th graders on up to middle school.
