Rating: Needs Parent Supervision

This should definitely be read only after reading book 1, which provides an excellent and age-appropriate introduction to binary numbers and to programming.

In Book 2, we go deeper into programming and randomness, with the main characters making mistakes and adjusting programs. It was incredible.

Moreover, kids will be engaged with the overall plot regarding this mysterious school, the main character’s missing father, a cantankerous janitor, suspiciously evil-seeming principal, and clashes with a mom who also happens to be the hard-core Mandarin teacher.

I especially like when one of the main characters sticks to his word, even when another amazing opportunity comes up. He lies a little bit about what he’s up to, but still has overall a great example in being true to your commitments.

Things I didn’t like:

  • A fair amount of violence/school bullying
  • Being cut from a sports team (and being made fun of it)
  • Name-calling (“dork,” “dummy,” etc.)
  • Some very disrespectful attitude toward school and parents

If you’re ok with those things then I highly recommend it!