One hacked mascot vote. One countdown to deletion. Three middle-schoolers against a ghost in the machine.

Thirteen-year-old Maya Chen doesn't believe in glitches. When she receives a notification for a school mascot vote she never cast, she doesn't just delete it-she investigates. Alongside her best friends-Leo, a technical wizard with a love for Linux, and Sania, a "social engineer" who can read people better than code-Maya uncovers a trail of digital breadcrumbs leading straight into the heart of Lincoln Middle School's network.

The trio soon discovers they aren't just dealing with a prankster. A mysterious figure known only as "G" has exploited a critical vulnerability to manipulate the school's systems. With the annual TechFest just weeks away, the stakes couldn't be higher: the hacker is threatening to delete three years of student projects unless the Cipher Kids can find a hidden password before the timer hits zero.

As the investigation deepens, the team must master real-world cybersecurity skills, from OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) and metadata analysis to network scanning and building targeted wordlists. But the ultimate challenge isn't technical-it's ethical. When the line between "hacking for good" and breaking the law begins to blur, the Cipher Kids must decide what it truly means to be a guardian in the digital age.

In this high-stakes STEM adventure, readers will learn:

• Real Cybersecurity Concepts: Explore Python automation, SQL injection, and digital forensics through an engaging mystery.
• Digital Ethics: Understand the "White Hat" philosophy and the importance of responsible disclosure.
• Critical Thinking: Follow the team's documentation and logic as they solve Case #001.

Perfect for fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society and Mr. Lemoncello's Library, The Cipher Kids is more than just a story-it's a toolkit for the next generation of digital defenders.

Stay safe. Stay curious. Stay ethical. The game has begun.