ALA Booklist (Mon May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

There's been considerable demand for resources on kids and coding, and this new entry deserves center stage. Designed for serious students ose who really want to learn how to code with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is user-friendly manual offers step-by-step, logical, sequential directions that most kids should be able to access independently. The text assumes no previous knowledge and walks users through basic skills, such as creating folders and saving files, before moving on to building web pages, apps, and online games. All content is presented in the form of missions, and users must complete tasks to solve the overarching mystery (who stole the diamond?). The graphics-rich pages feature numbered directions, arrows, screen shots, and cartoon guides. Tips, checklists, explanations, and justifications abound, and in case would-be coders get really stuck, there's online help available through Young Rewired State, an international community of young digital makers (the book's authors). This appealing guide is just the thing to attract young coders and launch them towards creating their own online content.

Kirkus Reviews

Young Rewired State, an online community of young coders, presents a guide for kids starting online programming. Readers participate as the coders in a storyline involving a recovered stolen diamond—in each of the six missions, their coding knowledge builds on itself in a natural, efficient progression of skills. Readers first meet the protagonist, white male Professor Bairstone, blue-haired woman of color Dr. Ruby Day (a shoutout to the Ruby programming language common in kids' coding books), and dog Ernest. In the first adventure, they ask readers to build a webpage about the legendary stolen Monk Diamond and its recovery, using basic Web code HTML with page design via CSS. Next, with the jewel thieves on the heroes' tails, they ask readers to password protect the webpage and give instructions on how to do so in JavaScript (the basic security's easily overcome, so readers shouldn't use it for anything sensitive!). The third mission is building a Web-based app—a to-do list—and the fourth is embedding a map to guide the heroes and the diamond to the museum using Google Maps' API. Mission No. 5 uses loops to create a reflex-testing JavaScript game for the museum guards, and No. 6 puts everything together to build a full website. Some missions are rather long, but they accommodate thorough explanations of each code element in easy-to-follow step-by-step guides. A fast, fun way to become a confident, versatile Web coder. (further Web resources, index) (Nonfiction. 9-14)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

This coding manual from Young Rewired State, a -worldwide community of digital makers age eighteen and under,- offers a story-driven course in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Cartoon illustrations introduce three characters-Professor Bairstone, Dr. Day, and Ernest (a dog)-who invite readers to join them in a quest to safeguard the valuable -Monk Diamond- by embarking on six -missions- outlined in each chapter. By following detailed coding instructions, readers can build a web page for Professor Bairstone (complete with tags and images hosted by an accompanying website, getcodingkids.com), create a web-based to-do-list app, learn how to embed a Google map on a web page, and create a JavaScript game meant to train the security team before an exhibition of the fictitious diamond, among other projects. While the diamond storyline can be a bit fuzzy, the programming explanations are clear, and the book-s hands-on approach lets readers learn the basics of coding while seeing real-time results. Ages 9-12. (Aug.)

School Library Journal (Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

Gr 7 Up-his story-based adventure aims to get readers coding. Written by Young Rewired State, a worldwide tech community made up of kids and teens, the book begins by diving straight into building a web page with HTML (rightly so, as its target audience is those who are already somewhat familiar with computer science). Framing the technical information is the tale of two scientists and their dog, who ask readers to help them make an interactive web page to "get the word out" about their discovery of a stolen diamond. Activities progress in difficulty and eventually involve not only CSS but also Java. It is clear the story is a mere prop to teach readers the different levels of HTML, CSS, and Java; however, the lackluster plot is just one shortcoming in an otherwise enlightening manual. The volume's strong points are the example coding sections, which exceed similar material found in other coding titles, and the expressive character illustrations. Teachers can rely on this title to make detailed lesson plans, and it could also be the basis for public library summer programs. VERDICT A fine addition for public or school libraries with small coding programs aimed at advanced beginners.DeHanza Kwong, Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC