  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 10/01/2020 Gr 4–6—This guide spotlights computer coders and basic coding projects. Each short chapter begins with a profile of a woman who has contributed to the development and expansion of computer code, followed by two pages of a simple coding project. The projects teach basic coding, such as how to change the color of an image, move a drawing, or add emojis. Colorful pages with text boxes and bubbles are appealing. However, the text does not give nearly enough background information or instructional detail for readers to understand what they are doing. While the profiles provide some history, they do not explain the programming language used. JavaScript is named but not explained as the programming language (along with HTML and CSS) used to create web pages. Also, the instructional language assumes learners are equipped with prior math and computer knowledge, though the projects are for beginners. While there is a glossary, readers may still have questions. The source notes cite articles about the women profiled but do not provide resources for further coding study. VERDICT This brief book offers a great concept but is lacking in thorough explanations and robust resources.—Katherine Rao, Palos Verdes Lib. Dist., CA - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 12/01/2020 This slight offering is intended for use with the Vidcode Lerner sandbox, an online tool that encourages playful exploration with coding. The text directs readers to the free URL, where users can register for personal accounts and code online in real time. The book alternates between six projects that explore coding basics (variables, objects, properties, arrays, loops, and conditionals) and sketches of prominent women computer programmers. The activities are simple and fun: create a meme, animate a rainbow, generate an emoji, produce some Pop Art. The website provides step-by-step directions, which are repeated verbatim in the text alongside extremely helpful screenshots. The profiles consist of a color portrait, a couple paragraphs of background information, and a direct quote, all intended to emphasize the contributions of women and encourage girls to get into coding. Beginners will require adult assistance at first, but the projects offer endless variations, and young users should be able to move to independent coding at some point. This will be a welcome resource for neophyte coders, including parents. - Copyright 2020 Booklist. Loading...
 |