Families who loved Instructions Not Included: How a Team of Women Coded the Future by Tami Lewis Brown often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child expresses frustration with a difficult task or feels like they do not fit the traditional mold of a scientist or leader. This story highlights the power of persistence and creative problem solving by introducing three women who pioneered computer programming when no one else knew how. It is a perfect choice for children who love technology but may need a boost in self confidence when facing the unknown. Through the lives of Betty, Jean, and Kay, the book explores how unique personality traits like meticulousness and outside the box thinking are secret weapons in STEM. While set against the backdrop of World War II, the tone remains inspiring and accessible for elementary schoolers. Parents will appreciate how it frames math and logic as tools for world building, providing a strong counter-narrative to the idea that some people just are not 'math people.'
