For the kid who asks “How does it work?”—here’s the true story of the woman who turned questions into code. This Grace Hopper biography invites readers ages 8-12 into the workshop of a curious girl who took clocks apart, followed her questions all the way to the Navy, and helped early computers speak plain English. From the Harvard Mark I to the first compiler, the story shows how imagination, courage, and a love of tinkering can change the world. Grace didn’t wait for permission to explore. She traced every wire, wrote the manual when none existed, and turned a literal moth-in-the-machine into the legend of “debugging.” She led teams at UNIVAC, shaped FLOW-MATIC, and helped build COBOL so people could program using everyday words. Along the way, she proved that leadership looks like listening, teaching, and trying again—especially when the problem is hard. Kids will see how big breakthroughs grow from small habits: asking better questions, testing ideas, and learning from mistakes. They’ll meet a trailblazer in computing and a role model for persistence—someone who challenged the line, “We’ve always done it this way,” and opened a door for everyone who loves to think. What makes this story a confident read for young learners Designed for ages 8-12 with short, lively chapters that support independent reading and engaging read-alouds. - Clear, kid-friendly explanations of early computers: the Harvard Mark I, what a compiler does, and how English-like instructions became COBOL. - Memorable moments from across her life: “The Girl Who Took Clocks Apart,” “Writing the Manual,” “Bugs, Moths, and Debugging,” and “Back in Uniform.” - A final nudge to explore: Chapter 16, “Your Turn to Tinker,” invites readers to try simple thought experiments, spot everyday “bugs,” and think like problem solvers. - A great fit for classrooms, book clubs, and coding circles; supports units on computing history, problem-solving, and women’s leadership in science. With an adventure that moves from wartime labs to bustling tech teams, this inspiring account gives kids the story behind the screens they use every day. It turns abstract ideas—algorithms, compilers, and code—into something they can see, talk about, and try for themselves. If your young reader loves puzzles, invention stories, or heroes who don’t give up, this chapter book will light them up. Perfect for 8-12 year olds, grades 3–7, and anyone who’s ever wondered what’s possible when curiosity meets courage. Put this empowering STEM biography in your child’s hands and watch their confidence—and their questions—grow.