Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code

By Laurie Wallmark and Katy Wu

“If you’ve got a good idea, and you know it’s going to work, go ahead and do it.”
The inspiring story of Grace Hopper—the boundary-breaking woman who revolutionized computer science—is told told in an engaging picture book biography.
 
Who was Grace Hopper? A software tester, workplace jester, cherished mentor, ace inventor, avid reader, naval leader—AND rule breaker, chance taker, and troublemaker. Acclaimed picture book author Laurie Wallmark (Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine) once again tells the riveting story of a trailblazing woman. Grace Hopper coined the term “computer bug” and taught computers to “speak English.” Throughout her life, Hopper succeeded in doing what no one had ever done before. Delighting in difficult ideas and in defying expectations, the insatiably curious Hopper truly was “Amazing Grace” . . . and a role model for science- and math-minded girls and boys. With a wealth of witty quotes, and richly detailed illustrations, this book brings Hopper's incredible accomplishments to life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Union Square Kids
• Release date: Feb 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781454941521

Laurie Wallmark

Laurie Wallmark is an award-winning author who has written picture-book biographies of women in STEM fields ranging from computer science to mathematics and astronomy to code breaking. Her books have received numerous awards, earned multiple starred reviews, and been chosen as Junior Library Guild Selections. A former software engineer and computer-science professor, she lives in Ringoes, New Jersey. For more information, visit LaurieWallmark.com.

Book preview

Reviews for Grace Hopper

[rbradfute-756080 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In "Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code" we are getting to know a software tester, ace inventor, and avid reader, that goes by the name of Grace Hopper. She is a rule breaking and huge chance taker but also a troublemaker. Throughout the book, we go along with her as she has done what no one has ver done before. Introducing this specific book to the classroom, will have the students engaged with science as well as being a role model. The students will also have math situations that they will catch as reading.

[nbmars · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a biography of Grace Hopper, “the woman who revolutionized computer coding.” Born in 1906, Grace spent her childhood tinkering with gadgets, doing experiments, and studying math and science. When she ran into obstacles, such as the need for mastery of Latin to enter college, she just worked harder until she succeeded.She attended Vassar College, where she graduated with honors in math and physics. She went on to Yale, graduating with an MA and then PhD in math. She got a job teaching math at Vassar. Then the war came, and Grace enlisted in the Navy. There she was assigned to write programs for some of the first computers ever built. Famously, in one incident when a computer stopped working, she didn’t give up until she found what was wrong: it was a moth trapped inside and blocking a switch. She wrote in her logbook, “First actual case of [a computer] bug being found.” Ever since then, computer glitches have been called “bugs.”Grace also invented programs to enable people to program without learning computer language. Her program let people use commands like “multiply” and the word would automatically be translated into computer language. This of course made computer work much easier: “With the help of Grace’s program, she and her coworkers were able to write code more quickly and with fewer errors.”The Navy tried to force Grace into retirement when she turned sixty, but “within a few months they realized their mistake and asked her to return for a short, six-month assignment. This short assignment lasted for twenty years.”Grace, having attained the rank of admiral, retired from the Navy at age eighty. She died in 1992 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. In 2016, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously. At the end of the book, the author includes “Grace’s Timeline,” a selected bibliography, a delineation of Grace’s many honors, and a selection of additional reading about other women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).Katy Wu’s bright illustrations employ an appealing cartoon style, and incorporate some of Grace’s own quotes in large font.Evaluation: It’s wonderful to see so many new picture books highlighting the achievements of outstanding women. This one includes the dedication “For my mother, who has always supported me, and for the women who strive to make the future a better place for young girls everywhere.”

[jaxlynleigh · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I honestly didn't know anything about Grace Hopper before reading this book and feel guilty that I didn't! She did so many cool things, including discovering the first computer "bug"! What a great role model and an interesting biography for young and old readers alike. I also really enjoyed that the author included quotes from Grace; it helps bring the story to life.

[melodyreads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

GREAT book! Easy to read, easy to understand how amazing Grace Hopper was.