Parents' Guide to

Ada Lovelace Cracks the Code

By Carrie Kingsley, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Inspiring bio of woman who published first computer code.

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What's the Story?

ADA LOVELACE CRACKS THE CODE traces the early life and remarkable achievements of the person who, among other inventions and technological advances, published the first computer code. Born in 1815 into wealth and high social standing but abandoned by her famous poet father, young Ada Byron's education by private tutors was overseen by her demanding mother. Ada was fascinated by inventions and created a flying machine and her own flying laboratory until measles made her bedridden and weak. When Ada was well enough, her mother took her on a tour of a fabric factory, where Ada first saw how automation could help labor-intensive processes. Ada pursued her ideas but was held back by a society that didn't see women as capable of inventing, publishing, or being serious contributors.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
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Kids say: Not yet rated

Filled with examples of creativity sparked by small observations, this detailed look at the earliest days of modern computing is engaging, informative, and inspiring. Ada Lovelace Cracks the Code is packed with historical information about the kinds of innovation that were just starting to be considered in the early 1800s. Readers who've grown up with hand-held, lightning-fast computers will get an interesting view of the woman who started it all, and will come away with an appreciation of the social pressures she faced as a woman who insisted on using her brain in a time when that was not required.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about if and how women's place in society has changed since the time of Ada Lovelace Cracks the Code. What can girls do now that they couldn't then?

  • How would you react if you knew the only way your amazing ideas could be published is if they were under someone else's name?

  • What other books about female trailblazers have you read?

Book Details

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