Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code

Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code chronicles the life of a pioneering computer scientist and U.S. Navy rear admiral. The picture book biography follows Hopper from her curiosity-filled childhood through her groundbreaking work in computer programming. Written for young readers, the book highlights Hopper's determination to solve problems and her refusal to accept the limitations others tried to place on her. The narrative incorporates key moments from her career developing early computer languages and standardizing computer programming. The illustrations by Katy Wu complement the text with period details and visual explanations of computing concepts. Technical concepts are presented in clear terms accessible to elementary school readers. This biography celebrates persistence and innovation while demonstrating how one person's drive to question standard practices can lead to revolutionary changes. The themes of breaking barriers and thinking differently resonate beyond the specifics of computer science.

Readers appreciate how this children's biography makes Grace Hopper's technical achievements accessible and engaging for young audiences. Parents and educators note that the book balances historical facts with personality, highlighting Hopper's determination and wit. Liked: - Clear explanations of complex computing concepts - Katy Wu's illustrations that complement the narrative - Inclusion of Hopper's actual quotes and sayings - Focus on both career achievements and personal characteristics - Emphasis on women in STEM Disliked: - Some readers wanted more technical details - A few found the timeline jumps confusing for young children Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (240+ ratings) One teacher commented: "My first-grade students were captivated by Hopper's curiosity and persistence." A parent reviewer wrote: "The book shows how breaking rules can lead to innovation, which resonated with my daughter."

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🔹 Grace Hopper coined the term "computer bug" after finding an actual moth causing problems in the Harvard Mark II computer in 1947 - the moth was taped into the computer's logbook and can still be seen today at the Smithsonian. 🔹 Author Laurie Wallmark has written several other acclaimed children's biographies about women in STEM, including books about Ada Lovelace and Margaret Hamilton. 🔹 Grace Hopper's programming language COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) is still used today, processing millions of banking transactions daily. 🔹 The book's illustrator, Katy Wu, has also worked as a visual development artist for major animation studios including Pixar, Disney, and Google. 🔹 Grace Hopper was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, by President Barack Obama posthumously in 2016.