STEM Tuesday– Computers– Book List

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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