Grace Hopper: Computer Whiz

Children's Literature

This book is a truly interesting biography about Grace Murray, a woman who played a large part in leading the world to computers found today. In just 28 pages, the author takes the reader from Grace's childhood through her teaching career, her stint in the Navy, and then onto her first job of working with the first electric computer. At the age of 66 Grace retired from the Navy and a year later was called back by them to begin yet another a new career in teaching naval officers how to use COBOL The photographs used throughout the book add understanding and a personal connection for the reader. These photographs from the Computer History Museum are absolutely amazing. A "Timeline," "Words to Know" section, and a "Learn More" section are included at the end of the book. Murphy has captured the highlights of Hooper's life and has managed to give an insight into what made this woman become what she was. Even though Grace Hooper is seen as an important part in the history of computers, Grace believed her greatest work was teaching young people. Hooper is famous for telling her students of all ages, "Not to listen when anyone said, we've always done it this way!" This is an excellent book to use in the classroom when teaching biographies and an excellent book for parents to increase interest of their children in non-fiction. Once you read this book, you will want to explore the other books in this series entitled "Famous Inventors." 2004, Enslow Publishers, Ages 8 to 12.
—Kathie M. Josephs

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-Hopper was one of only seven women to earn a Ph.D. from Yale between 1934 and 1937. She taught math at Vassar, and during World War II became a junior naval officer at 36 and worked on the Mark I computer, an early "giant calculator" that would change her life and lead to her work on the first electrical computer. She is described as a curious, ambitious, and thoughtful woman who cared a great deal about education and sharing knowledge with others. Black-and-white and full-color photographs appear on every spread, and the technical language is kept to a minimum. This kind of biography is important as a resource for students to understand the historical context of technology. An accessible and inspiring introduction to a computer pioneer.-Holly T. Sneeringer, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.