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STEM Tuesday– Computers– Book List

Coding, Computers, AI, the history of technology, and more — you’ll find it all in the pages of the books below.

Cover of the book The Woman in the Moon

The Woman in the Moon: How Margaret Hamilton Helped Fly the First Astronauts to the Moon written by Richard Maurer (2023) is the life story of Margaret Hamilton, mathematician and engineer, who worked on the code that ensured the success of Project Apollo. This book includes numerous pictures and descriptions that provide a window into the events of the 1950s and 60s and acknowledges some of the overlooked contributors that helped send the first astronauts to the Moon.

Cover of the book Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook

Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook: The Complete Middle School Study Guide – Workman Publishing, written by Grant Smith (2020) is another book from the educational series, Brain Quest. Part of their Big Fat Notebook series, the book is premised on the idea that it is the smartest student’s notes from class and the reader borrows them. The authors cover everything from web development and cyber security to binary code and computational thinking.

Cover of the book The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide to Inventing the World

Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide to Inventing the World written by Jennifer Swanson and Dylan Thuras and illustrated by Ruby Fresson (2025) takes readers on a journey through time to explore 50 major inventions and scientific discoveries. They book is filled with diagrams and fun illustrations. Specific to the creation of computers and AI, it examines how clockwork automatons build up to modern digital language, artificial intelligence, binary numbers, cryptography, and quantum computers.

Cover of the book Mind vs Machines: Shaping Tomorrow's Smart with AI

Mind vs Machine: Shaping Tomorrow’s Smart Tech with AI by Madeline Tyler and illustrated by Martyn Cain (2026) provides middle grade readers with the foundation of AI: the origin story, growth, and applications today. Shared in graphic style with straightforward vocabulary interspersed with humor, the emphasis is on the positive contributions AI is making and will continue to bring to our world.

Cover of the book The History of the Computer: People, Inventions, and Technology That Changed the World

The History of the Computer: People, Inventions, and Technology that Changed Our World by Rachel Ignotofsky (2022) is an information-packed journey through technological time, spanning ancient civilizations through current times. The text and illustrations do a masterful job of capturing technological developments, influential people, ideas, era, inventions, and place.  

Cover of the book See Inside AI Artificial Intelligence

See Inside Artificial Intelligence, by Alex Frith, Victoria Williams and illustrated by Beatrix Hatcher (2025) is a See Inside book from Usborne. Through colorful illustrations and engaging text, the authors share what AI can do, how it does it, and what it can’t do. Readers lift flaps and work through mazes and other activities as they gain insight into Ai’s capabilities.

Cover of the book You Look Like A Thing And I Love You

You Look Like a Thing and I Love You: How Artificial Intelligence Works and Why It’s Making the World a Weirder Place by Janelle Shane (2019) explores how computers learn from data and examples, make decisions and mistakes, and the difference between human and artificial intelligence. Readers will enjoy the book’s humorous and accessible insight into how machines learn, fail, and adapt.

Cover of the book Dorothy Vaughan: NASA's Leading Human Computer

Dorothy Vaughan: NASA’s Leading Human Computer by J. Deirdra R. Head (2020) shares the story of mathematician Dorothy Vaughan, NASA’s first African American woman to lead a team at the Langley Research Center. She began as a math teacher and became an aerospace pioneer, contributing greatly to the United States space program. The book is part of the “Movers, Shakers And History Makers” series, showcasing famous individuals who made significant contributions to society and advancement in their fields.

Cover of the book AI Snake Oil What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What it Can't, and How to Tell the Difference

AI Snake Oil: What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What It Can’t, and How to Tell the Difference by Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor (2024) explores: how AI works; AI uses and risks; AI capabilities and limitations; and how to evaluate AI claims. It can support readers to make informed decisions about AI usage.  

Cover of the book Future Tense: How We Made Artificial Intelligence - And How It Will Change Everything

Future Tense: How We Made Artificial Intelligence—and How It Will Change Everything by Martha Brockenbrough (2024) introduces AI, its origins, development, uses, capabilities, limitations, and the role of humans in shaping the future of AI. This book may appeal to readers who have questions about AI’s role in society and ethical development.

Cover of the book Alan Turing

Alan Turing (A Life Story) by Joanna Nadin (2020) is part of the biographical “A Life Story” series. It’s the story of Alan Turing, a code-cracking genius. The book includes black and white illustrations and provides an overview of his life and ideas, with quizzes to keep the reader engaged and learning. It’s a quick, gripping read about a British mathematician and computer scientist who broke German coding during World War II and whose ideas contributed to the computer and AI today.

Cover of the book Computer Science for Curious Kids

Computer Science for Curious Kids: An Illustrated Introduction to Software Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber-Security―and More! written by Chris Oxlade and Nik Neves (2023) is full of detailed illustrations. It provides explanations that showcase the history of significant developments and key figures in the history of computer science, programming and coding, and how computers impact everyday life.

Cover of the book Science Comics: Computers: How DIgital Hardware Works

Science Comics: Computers: How Digital Hardware Works by Perry E. Metzger and Penelope Spector and illustrated by Jerel Dye (2024) explains what computers are and how they work. A professor, a Victorian era computer expert, and a dinosaur take the reader on a humorous journey through computer technology revealing the human creation of the computer. They explain the way a computer works as a non-magical, scientific tool that is useful for children and adults.

Bev Schellenberg is an author (A Prince Among Dragons; A Princess Among Dragons), as well as a writer of creative nonfiction, poetry, and picture books. She’s an advocate of STEM who was a science fair national winner and high school robotics club sponsor, and passionate about young people discovering, following the passion inside them and flourishing. She’s taught grades kindergarten to grade 12 and is currently an academic advisor, careers teacher, and armchair futurist. Learn more about Bev at BevSchellenberg.com.

Carolyn Pfister is a STEM Content Developer, writer/illustrator, and coordinator of the California Early Math Project. She is interested in encouraging family and community STEM opportunities and maintaining children’s early love and success with math and science. Carolyn writes a monthly Substack on behalf of the California Early Math Project – https://carolynpfister.substack.com/. Learn more about Carolyn at Carolynpfister.com

August New Releases

August is a good month for reading, and  we’ve got you covered with some fun New Releases.

 

 

Ghost in the Night by Tiffany D. Jackson 

From mega-bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson comes this highly anticipated follow-up to her Edgar Award-winning, instant middle-grade bestseller Blood in the Water.

Ghost in the Night is another spine-tingling, can’t-put-it-down murder mystery, this time set in America’s Most Haunted City.

Savannah, Georgia, with its mossy trees and ornate old homes, is a place rich in history…and ghosts. Ghosts are what pique Harmony Roundtree’s interest. Still reeling from her losses back home, Harmony wants to believe in ghost stories…but isn’t sure what’s real. When she goes on one of the many ghost tours around town, she takes a photo of what might be a ghost. Or is it a hoax?

With two new friends, Harmony sets out to investigate… and stumbles upon clues leading to an unsolved murder. The deeper she digs, the more Harmony realizes that what she saw on the ghost tour might be connected to a shocking crime. But making connections can be dangerous–even more dangerous than ghosts.

New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson delivers another action-packed mystery full of surprises and secrets that will give readers goosebumps.

 

 

 

Level Up by Daka Hermon

From the author of Hide and Seeker comes a new thriller where an iconic childhood game turns creepy.

Keenan is used to running. He loves it. He is good at it. He is a track star, after all. Now he and his mother are escaping his father, trying to start a new life in Tennessee.

But he has never been on the run like this before. This new town has monsters of its own. The students in his school seem to be under some sort of trance, and Keenan is the only one who isn’t affected. Which means he is the only one who can do anything about it.

It’s time for Keenan to stop running and face his fears.

He cannot let the monsters win.

 

 

 

 

 

The Third Period Comeback by E.K. Johnston

New York Times bestseller E. K. Johnston’s middle-grade debut is an utterly charming, witty, and gloriously inclusive magic-tinged caper in the Canadian wilderness.

Hayley Rilko was born to play hockey—and cursed to ruin whatever team she plays for. As long as she’s still a kid, the curse’s magic doesn’t stick, but everyone knows her time is running out. The two things Hayley has on her side are her family–four generations of it, all carrying the same curse she does–and one last summer vacation in the Ontario Northwoods, where her great grandfather disappeared and the curse began.

As the clock runs down and the magical mysteries pile up, Hayley realizes that just following the evidence isn’t going to be enough. She’s going to have to talk to someone who has the information she needs—even if it means raising the dead. With her cousins on her team, Hayley sets out to do what no one else has been able to: find her great grandfather’s body and break the curse, no matter what it takes.

 

 

 

 

Who Circled the Globe in Seventy-Two Days? Nellie Bly:  A Who HQ Graphic Novel By Melanie Gillman (Author), Rebecca Mock (Illustrated by)

Follow trailblazing journalist Nellie Bly on a record-breaking trip around the world in this exciting graphic novel about one of America’s first female investigative reporters.

Presenting Who HQ Graphic Novels: an exciting addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling Who Was? series!

Discover how Nellie Bly made headlines in 1889 with one of her most iconic and sensational stunts—a world record–setting race around the globe. A story of daring, adventure, and pushing boundaries, this graphic novel highlights how Nellie Bly challenged traditional gender norms and helped pave the way for women in journalism. Atmospheric full-color illustrations bring this sharp narrative to life, immersing readers in Nellie’s globe-trotting exploits.

 

 

 

 

The Invisibles by Holly Kowitt

For fans of The Breakfast Club who wished every member was a nerd, this new middle grade novel stars a totally uncool boy who gets adopted by a group of other uncool kids in a bid to take over their school.

Jimmy Stern can’t catch a break.

As the new kid at school, he just wants to keep his head down and read his favorite Weird Walt comics. But when he accidentally drops Kyle Scott’s phone in the toilet, his social status goes down the drain. Being targeted by the most popular guy in school sucks.

Or, at least, it did suck, until Jimmy receives a note from a mysterious group of students called The Invisibles. Social outcasts like himself, The Invisibles have a plan: elect Jimmy as Art Week Secretary and stop Kyle’s favorite actor, Bayleigh White, from visiting their school. Jimmy quickly agrees, realizing that he can ask Weird Walt to do the Art Week visit instead.

But as campaign tactics spiral out of control, Jimmy will have to decide what he’s willing to do to get even. Smart, fast-paced, and laugh out loud funny, this is a must read for any kid (or adult) who has felt uncool.

 

 

Little Monsters by Máire Roche

In this modern supernatural middle grade retelling of the beloved classic Little Women, the March sisters have a monstrous secret Meg will do anything to protect—especially with another beast lurking in the woods threatening to expose them.

Meg March and her three sisters are monsters. No, really. Meg has teeth that are a little too sharp. Jo gets furry under the full moon. Beth goes night flying on wings that are impossible to hide under her sweaters. And Amy? Well, don’t let her near a body of water or she’ll start sprouting her mermaid’s tail.

Meg is sure their foster mom, Marmee, wouldn’t like any of this if she knew. And Jo’s best friend Laurie, the nice boy next door, would run screaming. To make matters worse, Meg’s small town outside of Salem is on edge. A vicious beast has been spotted in the forest, and Farmer Bhaer believes it’s responsible for his missing chickens. Meg is sure to be blamed if anyone realizes she’s a monster in disguise. And the closer it gets to Halloween, the surer the town is that something evil is hiding in the forest.

Meg doesn’t always remember what she gets up to at night, and sometimes, she wakes alone in a mossy part of the forest and has to find her way back. With John Brooke determined to find out just what Meg is hiding and locals working to uncover the monsters in their midst, Meg must find the culprit herself—or risk losing the little home she’s found with her sisters.

 

 

No Place on Earth by Andrea Beatriz Arango 

From the Newbery Honor-winning author of Iveliz Explains It All, comes a moving novel with a touch of magic, where two boys find themselves in each other’s dreams and slowly help one another face the real world.

Since moving to Yellowstone National Park for his mom’s job, Gustavo Santos Costa has had a lot on his mind.

  • For instance: bison stampedes. Did you know that bison can run three times faster than the average person?
  • Also: Why do people always stand so close to boiling hot springs?!
  • Finally: the bad dreams. Why have they only gotten worse since the move?

And that’s all before Gus somehow meets his classmate Kordell inside his dreams. While Gus avoids sleeping (and nightmares) at all costs, Kordell finds that dreams seem to be a welcome escape from his real life . . . until one day, they’re no longer enough. Gus may be the only person who can help Kordell. But when most things already feel too big to take on, how can Gus find the courage to be there for his friends?

In this powerful novel from the Newbery Honor-winning author of Iveliz Explains It All, two boys confront their fears—and their dreams—to save themselves and each other.

 

 

Secrets at Sparhawk Point by Anna Rose Johnson

To draw tourists to their declining coastal town, a group of children claim to have seen a mythic creature from Ojibwe legend, the storm-monster Mishipeshu. But when their plan backfires, they’ll need to convince everyone the beast is only make-believe. But. . . what if it isn’t?

1943. Sparhawk Point, Michigan may be a small town, but it’s home. For the Swedish Ahlstrom girls, it’s the only place they’ve ever known—a place they may have to leave if their father’s church can’t find more parishioners. The Ojibwe Robicheaux boys are struggling, too: their father is off at war, and a lack of tourists means no income from their two rental cottages. These kids can’t bear the thought of leaving. . . so they’ll have to make new residents come to them, and fast.

After spotting an unknown object in the water, they find their solution. Drawing on inspiration from Ojibwe stories of the mysterious Mishipeshu—the riser of storms on Lake Superior—the children spread stories of their very own “American Loch Ness monster” to bring curious visitors to their shores. But their plan works too well! People become afraid to visit. To save their families, they’ll need to convince everyone that the creature isn’t real. . . even if that may prove to be their biggest lie yet.

Secrets at Sparhawk Point is a timeless summer adventure from acclaimed Ojibwe voice Anna Rose Johnson, whose first two books—The Star that Always Stays and The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry—have received an avalanche of awards, nominations, and media spots. This is another flawless, insightful, and glowing novel that marries a Native American perspective with myth, history, and a classic storytelling voice.

 

See anything you like? Let us know in the comments.

 

The Shifting Landscape of Literary Agents

American Association of Literary Agents logo

The Association of American Literary Agents (AALA) has revised its Canon of Ethics, with changes set to take place September 1, 2026.

 

Significant Changes to Note

 

While agents still may not charge a client for editorial work done to prepare a manuscript for submission, other avenues of generating revenue have opened up. As reported by medium.com, agents can now “offer clients paid services, such as marketing, publicity, web design, and, in some circumstances, editorial services, as long as representation is not contingent on purchasing those services.”

 

A significant change to the Canon, while not encouraging agents to act as publishers, allows agents to enter into publishing agreements with clients if consent is given. As rationale for this change, AALA states the following:

 

As self-publishing and hybrid publishing continue to gain popularity and traction, and both indie and mainstream publishers find new ways to collaborate with agents, AALA members are more often being asked to help clients get their work published in non-traditional ways.” 

 

What do these changes mean for authors?

 

Industry expert Jane Friedman discusses catalysts for these changes and concerns she has about their implementation in her July 29 post, “Agent Business Models May Be Shifting: What I Fear Will Happen.”  

 

Friedman acknowledges that the agents are under pressure. The field has exploded in growth, with more people “taking up agenting as a side gig” and many industry professionals taking on agenting roles. As a result, editors are overwhelmed with submissions, and response times are lagging. The shifting landscape has made agenting an often financially unstable endeavor.

 

However, changes to AALA’s Canon of Ethics raise concerns for Friedman, including referral fees, potential conflicts of interest, subtle pressure tactics, and a “power imbalance in the author-agent relationship.” Her detailed article, linked above, is thorough and offers specific advice to authors before they sign any contracts.