Member Reviews
This was a really good book. I loved the fun illustrations and felt the topic was well covered. A lot of kids are now learning coding (and even I learnt something reading it). Great for the classroom library in particular
What I could read of this book, I absolutely loved! (Problems with download. I tried many different ways to fix.) Since I couldn't read the whole thing, I can't review on Amazon like normal. But I did absolutely love what I read so far and loved the illustrations too.
A good STEM story which we always need more of in a school library. The coding concepts are explained fairly well though the story is a little lacking in excitement. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fun, informative STEM adventure. My rating 4.5.
Luci and her friends get to work together as a team to solve a special treasure hunt. Their teacher has created a programable robot and one is ‘lost’ within the school. The teams must solve the clues and apply them properly. The team that gets to the robot first and solves its programming problem will each get a surprise.
This story has relatable young school children and fun rhyming clues like the example in the blurb. The blanks to fill in are all words the children have learned in their technology, computer lessons. As an adult, I was glad to be reminded of my early years of programming. The story is laid out well and reads quickly. I received the print book this week and was pleased to see that the production is glossy and inviting. The images are bright, distinct and fit the text blocks. I enjoyed the informative lesson and think it would be appropriate for young students. I look forward to sharing this with my 7 and 8-year-old granddaughters. I recommend this to encourage young children who have any interest in robots and programming.
Source: NetGalley 2019.
Absolutely loved this STEM story for kids. Fun illustrations and text keep the reader engaged as they help to find the missing robot. A great choice for libraries, classrooms or parents who want to increase their STEM selection of titles.
The premise of Coding Capers, which demonstrates coding concepts within a school story, is promising. While the story lacks a bit of excitement, the concepts are clearly explained to the target age group by the way they are presented as part of the competition in which the main characters are participating. By limiting the number of concepts covered, the lesson is concise and clear.
Thanks to NetGalley and Independent Society of Book Publishers for this book in return for an honest review. An interesting book that is geared to STEM learning and a desire by a group of children to solve a series of clues, to find their class robot, reprogram it and the first team that can do that will win their own home robot. For me the illustrations are better than the story, which is rather basic for what it is trying to promote. I never felt really involved in the book which uses overly simple riddles, clues and tasks to try and teach us about coding and computers. I think this book is a little too mature for young readers, and too immature for the intended age group.
Scavenger hunts are the best! This follows 3 kids on a scavenger hunt for a lost robot. And the group who find the robot first get to take home their own robot. So cool! It brings in some computer science into the book which I loved!
Great illustrations as well!
Luci and her friends are into science; really into science. They're smart kids with a passion for technology who are readily on-board when they get to school one day ... and are told by their science teacher that her robot is missing! Using coding terminology and their combined knowledge of computer science to solve various clues they are given, the three kids form one of several teams challenged to play a sort of scavenger hunt through the school in search of the missing robot - the reward for the winning team being no less than each member receiving his or her own robot to keep! This children's book is a quick, fun, easy read that should appeal to kids not even into computers or science - while at the same time potentially creating such an interest in those who do read it, as coding and computers here are seen through the eyes of students who understand what technology can do to help both people and the planet. Good messages here that never come across as messages, but rather as a genuinely enjoyable mystery that brings what - for some - may be a hard-to-understand subject down to a readily-understandable level, while also being fun. 3.5/5 stars
Note: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
Coding Capers: Luci and the Missing Robot is a sweet, STEM filled book!
I love that I am seeing more books surrounding engineering, technology and STEM. In my youth, there was not a giant market for that so a lot of us kids (mainly girls) didn't know that was an option. Having a premise like this is absolutely excellent and I think it was quite fun! Introduction to coding and robots is a must for kids these days. Hence, why I think this book is super important!
The story is weird for me though. There are points where the little adventure/treasure hunt the kids go on gets quite confusing. It's not the information that's presented that's confusing, it's just the overall arc of the story. Like a lot of books I've picked up lately, with just a few more edits I think this could be a really good book.
This book will definitely have a strong audience base, but some readers will not enjoy it at all. It's one of those niche type books that will be hit and miss.
I think the art and style in the book is one of it's strong points. I really thought it was colourful and pretty. It keeps the attention of the reader and gives them something to look at.
To top it off, at the end of the book there is some extra resources available. This provides a little more education and can be supplemental to the reader.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
What this book has right: AWESOME STEM principles packaged in a way that will make sense to young readers. Diverse characters. Wonderful resources to bring the book to life in the back.
What this book could do better: The plot is honestly kind of simple for where this book levels at... I know the story is throwing some more complex concepts, but it felt a little bit like I was reading a picture book with extra words.
While this book needs work, I can see it packaged/recommended/used by educators in conjunction with some more engaging stories to round out the lesson. Standing alone, it is a weaker book but nonetheless very important to the world of upper-level readers!
This is such a relevant book! Coding and STEM has become such a mainstream topic in society and education today. Coding Capers is a great way to introduce basic coding concepts in a fun and engaging way. The story engages the reader by having the students in the book go on a scavenger hunt and solve riddles - which the reader can solve along with them! And the fact that the main character is a girl shows that coding and computer science is for everyone, not just boys! The images are bright and colorful and will catch the attention of most any child! And the red light-green light acitivty for younger readers is a fun activity to expand the topic!
I love this book so much because it helps encourage kids that learning STEM is not just geared towards boys. You often times see girls giving up choices and career paths that involve science and technology because society dictates that there for the opposite gender. I love the book and the concept of it I would definitely go and buy this for my child.
I found this book okay. It's an interesting concept that I've personally never seen before, which is nice. I enjoyed the scavenger hunt aspect and I liked the font used for the robot. However, I didn't like the teacher's self proclamation of being their 'favourite teacher of all time'. I thought she was a tad creepy. Overall, the story just didn't really do it for me personally. Again, interesting concept but it wasn't my favourite. I think the execution could have been better.
As a parent, teacher, and elementary robotics coach I LOVED this book! This is a great way to get kids (especially girls) excited about coding and teach them some basic vocabulary. I cannot wait to use this book with my robotics teams!
Whoa! I'm so impressed with this book. It has a fun adventure (with riddles and puzzles to solve!) -- that really ull the reader into the story. The best part is that while your kids are enjoying the fun story, they're picking up on computer science keywords and learning about real-life app of those phrases. I could see kids reading this one again and again.
Luci wants a robot so she can make her life easier. Her teacher provides the class with a challenge... with the winners receiving their own robots! Throughout the story, students have to practice their knowledge of computer science, loops, conditionals, and algorithms, to solve the challenge. This story has a cute reminder for students to never give up, inputs computer science in a way children can relate to, and has vibrant illustrations. Great book!
What a timely book! Coding on computers is so necessary in today's STEM related curriculum..
This book tells of Luci and her friends' adventures about coding in the classroom. The mission of finding the robot and programming it competitively includes all the elements of an educational and fun reading experience. The reader is introduced to computer vocabulary in an entertaining manner which makes it easy to comprehend and retain. The illustrations are vivid and the dialogue simplistic and to the point.
I especially liked the follow-up"unplugged activity" page which serves to reemphasize what has been discussed and retained.
Coding Capers is a story of young coders participating in a class scavenger hunt. This book is engaging and promotes positive uses of technology. Readers see a great example of perseverance and teamwork. I ordered a finished copy. I may use it in my instruction or lend it to my STEM teacher. Thanks Netgalley and National Center for Youth Issues for the ARC of this title.
Coding Capers is a book that children need to read. It includes mentions of skills that include STEM which would be beneficial for both boys and girls to be encouraged to pursue in today's society. This is a bright and smart book for children that showcases a hobby that we do not see promoted enough. I will be sharing this one with my little girl.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.