Capture the Flag by Kate Messner

Have you ever been stranded at an airport (or really anywhere for that matter) in the middle of a major snowstorm?  You can’t leave, you can’t go anywhere.  The roads are completely impassable; the world has become a swirling mass of white.  If you’re stuck someplace that’s not home all you can do is sit and stare, while you wait for the storm to pass.  This is the fate that has befallen Anna, Henry and Josè.  They are snowed in at the Washington DC airport.  But it’s during this weather-imposed delay that the kids start to realize they have more in common then just their ages.  First, all three are returning to Vermont after a trip to Washington DC.  Second, they were all at a special event at the Smithsonian the previous night.  And finally, all three have relatives that are members of a secret society.

It’s during this unplanned stay at the airport that the kids first hear about the heist that took place at the Smithsonian museum the previous night, the night they were there!  Someone has made off with a very famous flag, Old Glory, the flag that inspired the “Star-Spangled Banner” has been stolen.  The kids quickly come up with a theory:  the flag must be at the airport.  Whoever stole it would want to get it out of Washington DC as fast as possible; so flying would be the obvious choice.  Unfortunately for them they didn’t plan on the storm.  The news is filled with stories of the missing flag and possible suspects, including Josè’s mother, the woman responsible for restoring the flag, but also the last person to have seen the flag before it disappeared.  The police have her in custody, while even more suspects are questioned and detained, including parents of another new friend.  The kids take it upon themselves to solve the mystery and find the flag, never realizing the danger they were heading into.

If you like the “National Treasure” movies, you’ll love this book.  Each chapter keeps you guessing as to who the culprit is and what the possible motive could be.