Rachel5.0 out of 5 stars Great STEM book with good female representationReviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 14, 2023Verified PurchaseI read this book with my daughters (8 and 11) and I am so glad I did! It was so much fun. Some of the tech concepts were a bit over my daughters’ heads but the explanation of each concept was not, so it inspired their curiosity instead of being overwhelming. We actually looked up a lot of the references (like brain-controlled prosthetics and toys- like Mindflex- as well as the coding program, SCRATCH). My daughters were shocked to find that these things existed in real life! So many of the “magical” things they read in books are just that…magic…but to find something that seems like magic but iactually real was wonderful. Nina, the main character, is not without drama which kept my girls interested in her story. She is yoga obsessed, hesitant to explore (and admit) her own potential, and constantly concerned that taking risks will result in her appearance in the TV show 1000 Ways To Die. She struggles with family life, friendships, her own identity, and other coming-of-age issues that hit home will all ages. The setting is super fun and truly does sound like something that could be in Silicon Valley. The campus is very showy with different themed classrooms and meeting areas that reminded me of the rooms in the Encanto—each room has its own décor, tech, personality, and possibilities. They felt a little like separate worlds. I found myself wanting more description of each area, but maybe that’s the Avitar-enthusiast in me. I doubt more description would have added to the story in a way that would have maintained tween interest.
It was a JOY to read! I hope there are more books like this soon. Or maybe even a sequel? Please?
STEM Believer5.0 out of 5 stars Great story of STEM opening new horizonsReviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 1, 2023Verified PurchaseAs a lifelong teacher, I am impressed with Nina's courageous journey. The story is an example of taking a girl's interest in the arts and applying it into computer design. We follow Nina as she enters a STEM boarding school while pursuing a dream of building a yoga website. Her goal is to learn how to move her pencil drawings, of her fictional friend Rosie, into a color computer animation. Little does she realize, going to this school will also introduce her to a robotic barista, named Marilyn Monroebot, and the need to understand how to use artificial intelligence to save a good friend.
A step that really enhances the educational value of this fiction book are the last two pages added by the author. The pencil sketches of Rosie’s yoga positions are shown from Nina’s sketchbook on one page, then a link is provided to the MIT Media Lab SCRATCH site which shows the results of Nina’s efforts. The full color animation of Rosie moving through her yoga routine can be seen on the reader’s computer screen or phone. The link also shows the set of SCRATCH coding blocks Nina assembled to create her website.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 1, 2023Verified PurchaseAs a lifelong teacher, I am impressed with Nina's courageous journey. The story is an example of taking a girl's interest in the arts and applying it into computer design. We follow Nina as she enters a STEM boarding school while pursuing a dream of building a yoga website. Her goal is to learn how to move her pencil drawings, of her fictional friend Rosie, into a color computer animation. Little does she realize, going to this school will also introduce her to a robotic barista, named Marilyn Monroebot, and the need to understand how to use artificial intelligence to save a good friend.
A step that really enhances the educational value of this fiction book are the last two pages added by the author. The pencil sketches of Rosie’s yoga positions are shown from Nina’s sketchbook on one page, then a link is provided to the MIT Media Lab SCRATCH site which shows the results of Nina’s efforts. The full color animation of Rosie moving through her yoga routine can be seen on the reader’s computer screen or phone. The link also shows the set of SCRATCH coding blocks Nina assembled to create her website.
This book will stimulate a child's imagination by allowing them to visualize and potentially create their own animated stories, games, or web designs with the widely used SCRATCH programming language. Cheers to Nina for taking her interest in yoga onto the computer screen!
Educator5.0 out of 5 stars A Whodunnit MysteryReviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 4, 2023Verified PurchaseThis is more than a story about technology. It is also an intriguing whodunnit mystery that leads with technology to solve a crime. As an educator, I really liked that this story emphasized the fact that trial and error is part of the learning and discovery process. I cheered Nina on every step of the way in her wide-eyed try, try, try again method to solve the mystery. As with most problem solving, she is humiliated few times, but dusts herself off and starts all over again. Nina is an inspirational middle school character we can't help but fall in love with!
John B. S5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring. Fun. Seems real. Current. Lovely character choices!Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 17, 2023Verified PurchaseI really enjoyed the growth of Nina and her risking enrichment experience to help her friend Brad. As I have gotten older I have tended to believe the ‘one bite rule’ in life as discussed by Nina’s roommate.The book flowed very well. My favorite character, other than Nina and her animation Rosie, was Joy the teacher - compassionate and loving :)Enjoy the book :))
Anne W.5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, fast paced and insightful.Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 10, 2023I was hooked in the first paragraph, comparing family members to yoga positions. Loved the pace of this book, which never got boring with Nina and her friends. I was particularly taken with her fellow student Brad, who very likely may have been on the autism spectrum. I just dropped off a copy of the book for my local STEM school which is just a few blocks away. I can see this being a must read for middle schoolers. When they click on the link, at the end of the book, to see Rosie's animated yoga on the beach, they will be blown away.
Lori Romero5.0 out of 5 stars Nina Shiner Wants to Be a Web Designer is a winner!Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 20, 2023Hooray for Kathy Childs for writing a lively book that inspires kids to become independent, tech-embracing leaders who pursue their dreams! As a library manager and literacy specialist working with children and families, I can't wait to get Nina Shiner Wants to Be a Web Designer into lots of young hands. They're going to love it. En route to designing her yoga website for kids, Nina Shiner navigates friendships with funny, strong characters like Brad, Jericka and Josh, solves an intriguing mystery, learns to create an animated "Rosie" for her website and has a ton of fun! I love that this story is an appealing, whimsical adventure yet carries important messages of learning, and staying true. Well done!
doug fox5.0 out of 5 stars Drama, self awareness, and technology all contribute to a must read!Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 15, 2023This fast moving book shows some applications of technology for school aged girls and boys which could lead to fascinating careers and that technology need not be frightening. Friendships and ethical dilemmas also play a role in the story. The story has many surprising twists and turns.
Amazon Customer5.0 out of 5 stars An action-packed book that explores the intersection of technology and creativity. LOVE!Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 7, 2023A gem of a book that merges the importance and wonderful-ness of science and art and movement (via yoga!). It captures the joy of coding by pairing it with a fantastical, exciting adventure that kids will love. Nine is a delight of a middle-grade character.
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