Capture The Flag

Capture the Flag by Kate Messner is a middle-grade mystery novel that centers on three kids from diverse backgrounds—Anna, José, and Henry—who are all descendants of key figures in American history. Snowed-in together at a Washington DC airport, they race against the clock to recover the iconic flag that inspired “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which has been stolen from the Smithsonian. As they learn more about each other, including the fact that they all have relatives who are members of a secret society dedicated to protecting historical artifacts, their adventures illustrate the Need to Protect Artifacts That Shape Understanding of the Past, the Power of Teamwork and Diverse Perspectives, The Danger of Assumptions and Prejudices, and The Development of Civic Responsibility.

This novel is the first in Messner’s Silver Jaguar Society Mysteries series, which also includes the novels Manhunt and Hide and Seek. Messner is known for her middle-grade novels that center the perspectives of young people to explore the value of curiosity and cooperation through diverse points of view. She has won numerous awards for her novels, including the Nerdy Book Club Award for MG Fiction for Breakout (2018).

This Study Guide references the 2012 Scholastic edition.