Saturday, November 07, 2015

Book Review: Secret Coders

SECRET CODERS by Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes combines an appealing action adventure with concepts related to computer programming.
When Hopper arrives at Stately Academy, she has a tough time fitting in until she meets a boy who shares her passion for solving the school’s mysteries. Together, they use binary numbers and beginning computer programming to unlock secrets kept by the school’s custodian.
Written for middle grades students, the graphic novel seamlessly weaves mathematics and computer science concepts into a witty school story. The attractive illustrations contribute both to the engrossing tale, as well as understanding of the math concepts.
Librarians will find that this book appeals to children who enjoy smart school stories. It also provides librarians with the chance to promote nonfiction books related to codes, computer programming, and robotics. Connect the book with makerspace activities related to STEAM. Mystery lovers will also enjoy the story’s unusual cast of characters.
Teachers will find this new series to be a wonderful way to help young computer scientists learn programming concepts. The memorable stories provide a meaningful context for remembering key ideas.
To learn more about this amazing new series, go to http://www.secret-coders.com/.
Published by FirstSecond, an imprint of Macmillan on September 29, 2015.