Code This!: Puzzles, Games, Challenges, and Computer Coding Concepts for the Problem Solver in You
by Jennifer Szymanski (Author)
Welcome to the Coder Crew, where you're on a mission. You'll write algorithms to find hidden treasures, decode ciphers to read secret messages, create loops to program an expedition, and more. Along the way, you'll learn the art of figuring out how to do things in general. That's called computer science. You'll also learn the art of explaining something in particular. That's called programming, or coding.
Then you can put your skills to the test to help Cody the Robot. Whenever the Code This! Explorers need a hand, Cody is there to help. Unfortunately, this robot is very particular about the details. It can't simply collect a rare type of bacteria from a volcano. It needs step-by-step instructions on where to go, how to collect the bacteria, what bacteria to collect, and how to get back to the Explorers. Even more unfortunately, the Explorers are superbusy folks with a lot of cool stuff on their minds. That means they rarely give Cody the instructions it needs, which makes it want to totally short-circuit. That's where YOU come in to help Cody succeed at some of the trickiest, most awesome missions on Earth.
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Gr 3-7-Readers are encouraged to imagine that an all-purpose robot named Cody has to be programmed to help expeditions explore a mysterious cave and an area of the deep sea, fix a satellite in space, and navigate a tepui to photograph jaguars in Venezuela. Concepts such as algorithms, optimization, constraints, cryptology, and binary code are introduced with fun and workable hands-on activities. These activities do not need any high-tech gadgets; most call for things like masking tape, chalk, paper plates, and other people. The coding activities call for the lines to be written down on paper and checked against the solution in the back. A strength of this title is its clarity. The conversational tone is perfect for the intended age range. For example, early in the text, computer science is defined as the "art of figuring out how to do things in general" and programming or coding is "explaining how to do something in particular." An unfortunate weakness is the lack of any sort of website/app tie-in component since as the challenges get more complicated, it becomes less exciting to write down the code and not see it executed. VERDICT An applicable resource for intro to coding clubs at schools or libraries. An engaging introduction to basic and intermediate fundamentals of computer science and coding through various screen-free activities.-Kacy Helwick, New Orleans Public Library
Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
JNF012010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Computers | Entertainment & Games
