[REVIEW] Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World

First, I apologize for not doing much book reviews. The first book review that I had related to coding and anything creative was last year, and in a way, I feel ashamed of it. But, here I am now with my second book review of The NINPOJineous Book Reviews series.

One of my goals in life, while I’m on my journey to learn a few backend development languages and finally establish my new career in web/mobile/app development, is to open a chapter of Girls Who Code (GWC) here in my small hometown. I would like to share my (late) love for STEM, ¹ coding, and development of girls and women through non-profit education while having fun all at the same time. Although this book aims more at young girls, Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World, the book gives an introductory insight in computer science, coding, technology, and the impact of women to the field throughout the history of computer science. For someone who is an aspiring GWC facilitator such as myself, this is also a good introduction to the non-profit organization, get more familiar with GWC’s purpose, and become an advocate of computer science education for girls.

The title may be misleading, but the book also helps convincing girls to not be intimidated by STEM and instead, learn more about the wonders of this aspect of STEM, computer science and development, logic, problem-solving, and most of all, having fun to build something awesome with other like-minded girls. Reshma Saujani, the author of the book, is the founder of GWC and a pioneer of gender equality in the tech industry. 2017 had been a hot year for female rights, empowerment, and equality on all aspects. What could be a much perfect year to release a book like this than this year?

This book is the first of a series of GWC books about girls and coding. The book will not teach you how to code, as there are several coding languages out there that the tech industry use on a daily basis, but it can also teach the concepts of coding, how a coding project scenario is like, the notable women who made great contributions to STEM, and it also provides tips on how you (or your daughter if you’re a parent reading this) can get started. The book also introduces five girl characters from different backgrounds who all have one common interest: coding and building applications that can change the world. The books right after this focus on the five girls and their stories and adventures together as a coding club, while living as your normal, everyday girl, like the old The Babysitter’s Club book series that many of us girls ² used to read. Also, there are activity books included in the GWC series, such as an ideas journal and puzzles related to coding.

This book is available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook format.