Grace always wanted to know how things could be done. Transforming her childhood curiosity into a long and successful career, Grace became a respected Navy officer and a key figure in the computer revolution. This biography traces the development of computers along with the life of Grace.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-8?Hopper was a pioneer in computer programming, most notably with the U.S. Navy. This biography is chronological and straightforward, although the subject's specialty?computers and math?will make some sections difficult for young readers to comprehend. Whitelaw includes enough period detail to add interest, and students will laugh at the size and limitations of early computers. Those who bother to read the introduction will enjoy the author's explanation of why she likes writing biographies and how she went about collecting the information for this book. Of special interest is the list of questions she wanted to answer about Hopper when she began; she returns to these questions on the last page and summarizes her findings. Hamlin's pencil illustrations are informative and appropriate. A solid purchase.?Rosie Peasley, Empire Union School District, Modesto, CA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 3^-6. Whitelaw recounts the life of a navy rear admiral who contributed much to the field of computers and programming. Hopper's childhood interest in machines led to degrees in mathematics from Vassar and Yale and a brief teaching career. During World War II, she joined the WAVES, where she was assigned to the Mark I computer. Over the next 40 years, she worked to develop a language that could be easily understood by both humans and computers and became known as the grandmother of COBOL. The author succinctly details the highlights of Hopper's life, with an emphasis on humanizing anecdotes. One story involves Grace using a mirror and tweezers to remove a moth from Mark II, thus coining the term debug, meaning to solve a computer problem. Frequent pencil sketches help to break up the text for younger readers, and the index/glossary will aid report writers. Kay Weisman
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An officer, a programmer and a lady,
By Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE) (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)
This review is from: Grace Hopper: Programming Pioneer (Science Superstars) (Hardcover)
While Ada Lovelace is heralded as the first computer programmer and has a programming language named after her, the woman who has had the greatest impact on computing was Grace Hopper. In the vast collection of role models for young women, there is none better. She was not only a pioneer in expanding the roles of women, but also in the development of what computing is today. Considered to be the grandmother of the language COBOL, much of her early work formed the basis for computing as we know it. And yet, she was a no-nonsense career officer in the Navy. To understand her approach, consider what she did when assigned a Pentagon office with no furniture or supplies. Rather than waste time filling out the required forms she told her staff. "If you need something, `liberate' or borrow it from the Air Force . . . If you can't get it from there, get it from the Army. They have almost everything, and they don't know how to count." Her two distinctive office symbols were a skull-and-crossbones flag and a clock that ran backwards. A truly inspiring story that shows the value of determination and non-conformity, this book should be required reading of all early adolescents. Maybe someday justice will be served and there will be a programming language named after Grace Hopper. Without question, it is an honor she deserves. Originally published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
this book was very exquisit to me.this book is great also.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Grace Hopper: Programming Pioneer (Science Superstars) (Hardcover)
we'll all im going to say is that i look up to ms.hopper because she is a strong willed woman and is not afraid of anything.i want to be just like grace hopper.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Grace Hopper -- programmer,
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This review is from: Grace Hopper: Programming Pioneer (Science Superstars) (Paperback)
Book was in great shape, better than advertised. The book also arrived BEFORE the estimated arrival time. Would definitely use this vendor again!
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