Book
Power on! [graphic novel] / Jean J. Ryoo and Jane Margolis ; illustrated by Charis JB.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780262543255 (trade paperback)
- Physical Description: 128 pages : chiefly colour illustrations ; 26 cm
- Publisher: Cambridge, Massachusetts : The MIT Press, [2022]
- Copyright: ©2022
Content descriptions
| General Note: | Four high school friends use computer science and other various technologies to communicate with each other and participate in protesting systemic racism, learning how students of color and females have been historically marginalized. Includes information on important computer scientists. |
| Bibliography, etc. Note: | Includes bibliographical references. |
| Target Audience Note: | 012-018. Grades 10-12. |
Search for related items by subject
| Genre: | Graphic novels. |
Available copies
- 1 of 1 copy available at Tsuga Consortium.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 1 total copy.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeshore Branch | YA Ryoo | 31681010272797 | YADULT GN | Available | - |
- Random House, Inc.
A diverse group of teenage friends learn how computing can be personally and politically empowering and why all students need access to computer science education.
This lively graphic novel follows a diverse group of teenage friends as they discover that computing can be fun, creative, and empowering. Taylor, Christine, Antonio, and Jon seem like typical young teensâthey communicate via endless texting, they share jokes, they worry about starting high school, and they have each otherâs backs. But when a racially-biased artificial intelligence system causes harm in their neighborhood, they suddenly realize that tech isnât as neutral as they thought it was. But can an algorithm be racist? And what is an algorithm, anyway?
In school, they decide to explore computing classes, with mixed results. One class is only about typing. The class that Christine wants to join is full, and the school counselor suggests that she take a class in âTourism and Hospitalityâ instead. (Really??) But Antonioâs class seems legit, Christine finds an after-school program, and they decide to teach the others what they learn. By summer vacation, all four have discovered that computing is both personally and politically empowering.
Interspersed through the narrative are text boxes with computer science explainers and inspirational profiles of people of color and women in the field (including Katherine Johnson of Hidden Figures fame). Power On! is an essential read for young adults, general readers, educators, and anyone interested in the power of computing, how computing can do good or cause harm, and why addressing underrepresentation in computing needs to be a top priority.
