Short Graphic Novels About Science and Technology: Sama Crushes the Code and Pia in the Forest

Up and down on rollercoasters, in an out of the woods

Getting kids into science is important. We’re seeing a visible dearth in people who know how the human body or computers work. Heck, schools no longer teach typing classes! Why does THAT burden have to fall on the parents?

Both of these graphic novels show that the spark to learn has to come from the child. You can’t force someone to become interested in nature or the woods.

Sama Crushes the Code by Samaira Mehta with Brin Stevens, Illustrated by Jenny Alvarado

Sama likes coding. She only knows the basics, but knowing how to implement a function can help with understanding a social situation. Middle school seems daunting, but Sama’s friend Nancy and her parents encourage her that she can find her place. Tech Club appeals to Sama; the kids there don’t, however, with how they prank her on her first day and then freeze her out when she retaliates with a similar, harmless prank. The leader Sid keeps saying the club needs a big project that will “win prizes”.

A new girl at school a befriends Sama after the latter fixes her prototype: a vehicle that a child can drive across states. Jenny’s mom codes rides and programs them at a local theme park. Sama asks for helps with smaller projects and provides advice in return. She’s eager to learn.

I appreciate how coding and tech has that gate for girls and minorities. Sama gets pranked on her first day but gets the club in trouble with a harmless counter-prank. Sid, seemingly the student leader, keeps dismissing her ideas and freezing her out; though there are other girls and minorities in the club, with Sid also being nonwhite, he keeps those gates up and closed. It’s a good thing Sid notices when Sama skips Tech Club in favor of solving tangible problems with people who actually appreciate her time, and he takes steps to act better than most tech bros.

Likewise, I appreciate Sama not being a pushover. She’s not mean, but she is honest about how she feels like the Tech Club is excluding her. Their means of saying hi to a new member was pranking her and then taking offense when she returned the favor. It’s behavior like that which pushes people out of science. Thankfully, Sama is no quitter.

In an ideal world, coding is a “we” instead of a “me,” that focuses on including people. Books like this show such a world is possible.

Amazon Link

Pia in the Forest by David Bruggink

Dada takes little Pia into the forest for a day trip. Though Pia charges through, wanting to collect as many sticks and pinecones that she can carry, Dada reminds her the woods aren’t a theme park. Living creatures, trees and all, live here.

Pia doesn’t want to listen at first. Sounds through a field microphone are one thing, but Dad seems too stiff. He tries to stay patient when Pia messes with the snacks and randomly takes off without warning. Then they have a fight, and Pia runs off with the headphones and microphone, determined to have fun just with her toy. The woods have plenty of things to see and here. She even makes a new friend! When Pia realizes she left Dada behind, Quinn suggests using the sounds of the forest.

I’ve done hikes with my family, and the jury is out on how much we hear. Water is an obvious one with rivers and streams. We do see a fair amount and get time to unwind, provided that no one wants to start a fight over how another person is walking or managing their time. I haven’t even seen how a family would handle this hike with the younger nieces and nephews, especially with one prone to running without stopping.

Though at first Pia seems too young to handle the excursion, she does eventually stop to listen. The forest has so many sounds, including those that indicate when someone or something is in distress. Taking a moment to pause helps her understand what Dada was saying. It also makes her remember they had a fight, so she hurries back to make things right. This kid is going places.

Amazon Link

Disclaimer: I received free copies of these books in exchange for an honest review.

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