A magic stick and a penchant for solving problems color this charming middle-grade read about Asha and Baz, two young students who are determined to find the answer to their computer class’s seemingly impossible Code Challenge. Fernandez keeps the focus on Hedy’s admirable perseverance despite the many obstacles standing in her way: even the fear that the U.S. patent office will ignore her application because “an actress inventing a communication system might be funny to some people” doesn’t stop her from submitting for a patent, and that lesson to never give up is a valuable one for Asha and Baz. In a unique stylistic touch, Patel evokes the glimmer and gusto of the 1940s in the book’s fitting black and white illustrations. This inspires as much as it teaches.
Description
Starred review in The Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books For Kids and Teens 2023 Fall edition!
In the second book of Caroline Fernandez’s Asha and Baz series, readers once more dive into the past—this time to learn about famous actor and inventor Hedy Lamarr! Computer class is off to a rocky start for Asha and Baz! They’ve been given a Coding Challenge and must correctly code instructions to send a digital frog across a computer screen. But they can’t seem to figure it out. With their reputation as the smartest kids in their class at stake, the pair turn to their magic stick for answers. They use it to draw their coding problem in the sand and are transported back in time to 1941 Hollywood to meet Hedy Lamarr, leaving them even more confused: How can an actor help them solve the Coding Challenge? But when they learn there’s a war happening and that Hedy Lamar has been hard at work inventing a device to help with war efforts, the kids realize her problem-solving skills may be just what they need. Coding, frequency hopping, and more await in Asha and Baz Meet Hedy Lamarr!
Reviews
I am 100% recommending this one to the students in our coding club! This book is a hit- it is short enough to appeal to a wide-range of readers, it has an appealing cover & pictures throughout, and it is FILLED with coding, STEM, history, inventions, strong women, and MORE. I learned so much about Hedy Lamarr- and quickly spent time doing more research about this fascinating woman! I loved learning about how her brilliant mind was often "swept to the side", and her beauty and fame were the only thing people noticed. Her strength, determination and intelligence were often underestimated. It's amazing to think that she created "frequency hopping technology", which is really the basis for our modern day WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth.
...a fun and engaging blend of instruction and excitement ...with high appeal to readers who love STEM topics such as computer science.
Asha and Baz Meet Hedy Lamarr is an enjoyable new addition to the Asha and Baz series with high appeal to readers who love STEM topics such as computer science. ...readers are sure to be inspired by how they support each other in overcoming uncertainty and self-doubt. At the same time, through Hedy's story, the book encourages readers to recognize the previously overlooked contributions of strong women throughout history to STEM progress, empowering female readers, in particular, to believe in their power to succeed in STEM spaces.
