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My Life #9
My Life as a Coder
My Life as a Coder is the ninth book in Janet Tashjian's much-loved, diary fiction My Life series starring reluctant reader Derek Fallon, featuring illustrations by Jake Tashjian .
Derek Fallon receives an exciting new gift--a laptop! But there's a catch: it has no Wi-Fi so he can't use it for gaming. If he wants to play computer games, he'll have to learn how to code them himself. Another unforgettable adventure awaits in Book 9 of the My Life series, this time involving tech and coding!
Christy Ottaviano Books
Derek Fallon receives an exciting new gift--a laptop! But there's a catch: it has no Wi-Fi so he can't use it for gaming. If he wants to play computer games, he'll have to learn how to code them himself. Another unforgettable adventure awaits in Book 9 of the My Life series, this time involving tech and coding!
Christy Ottaviano Books
272 pages, Hardcover
First published April 7, 2020
32 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Janet Tashjian
54 books261 followersJanet Tashjian is a middle-grade and young adult novelist who’s been writing books for children for fifteen years. Her first novel Tru Confessions was made into a critically acclaimed Disney TV movie starring Clara Bryant and Shia LaBeouf. The Gospel According to Larry is a cult favorite and Fault Line is taught in many middle and high schools. Her novels My Life As a Book, My Life As a Stuntboy, and My Life As a Cartoonist are all illustrated by her teenage son, Jake. Their collaboration continues with Einstein the Class Hamster coming in August.
Janet lives with her family in Los Angeles, enjoying her respite from the long Boston winters. When she isn’t writing, she’s rewriting.
Janet has been doing school visits for fifteen years; you can email her at spatulaproductions@mac.com for details.
We invite you to follow her on Twitter @JanetTashjian and like her books on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Lif...
https://www.facebook.com/ForWhatItsWo...
Plus, check out her YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/janettash...
Janet lives with her family in Los Angeles, enjoying her respite from the long Boston winters. When she isn’t writing, she’s rewriting.
Janet has been doing school visits for fifteen years; you can email her at spatulaproductions@mac.com for details.
We invite you to follow her on Twitter @JanetTashjian and like her books on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Lif...
https://www.facebook.com/ForWhatItsWo...
Plus, check out her YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/janettash...
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 18, 2024
3,75/5⭐
August 17, 2023
*CONTAIN SPOILERS*
Star Rating/⭐⭐⭐⭐
First, I Think I Really Enjoyed The Book. The Things That I Liked Were:
The Catch Of The Computer
The Mystery Hacker
And Derek's Not-So-Good Coding Skills.
The Things That I Don't Like Are:
The Therapist Ponies That Carly Likes
The Unnatural Ending Of The Hacker Being Caught.
But It Is A Very Good Book Overall And If You Read Books Like Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Or Dork Diaries
I'd Recommend It To You!
Star Rating/⭐⭐⭐⭐
First, I Think I Really Enjoyed The Book. The Things That I Liked Were:
The Catch Of The Computer
The Mystery Hacker
And Derek's Not-So-Good Coding Skills.
The Things That I Don't Like Are:
The Therapist Ponies That Carly Likes
The Unnatural Ending Of The Hacker Being Caught.
But It Is A Very Good Book Overall And If You Read Books Like Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Or Dork Diaries
I'd Recommend It To You!
Read
January 23, 2025One of these days I will stop stealing my little brother's books. But not soon. Children's literature is so much more gentle and kind than all the depressing junk they write for teens and adults.
I thought this was a sweet and informative read, and this is coming from an all-around Luddite who DESPISED coding class as a child. I love the message of taking ownership of your online presence- it was clear and actionable without being preachy or alienating to young readers.
I thought this was a sweet and informative read, and this is coming from an all-around Luddite who DESPISED coding class as a child. I love the message of taking ownership of your online presence- it was clear and actionable without being preachy or alienating to young readers.
June 21, 2020
My Life as a Coder by Janet Tashjian, illustrated by Jake Tashjian, 272 pages. Henry Holt (MacMillan), 2020 $14.00
Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Derek finally got his own laptop! However, it doesn't have any apps, not even Wifi. If he wants to play games on his new computer he will have to learn how to code. Good thing he can enroll in the after school coding elective, taught by one of the lunch ladies (what he really wanted was the comedy elective with Matt, but these are desperate times). When his hopes to team up with Umberto are dashed, Derek has to work with Jade who is an amazing coder, but obviously doesn't like him so he won't be able to just play around in this class!
I love how Derek's parents know that he won't work hard to learn something unless he is desperate - great idea to give him a word processing only computer. #9 in the My Life series, My Life as a Coder is full of adventure (yes) mystery (of course) and Derek getting himself into crazy predicaments. Definitely not a stand alone, but an essential addition to the rest of the series.
Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...
Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Derek finally got his own laptop! However, it doesn't have any apps, not even Wifi. If he wants to play games on his new computer he will have to learn how to code. Good thing he can enroll in the after school coding elective, taught by one of the lunch ladies (what he really wanted was the comedy elective with Matt, but these are desperate times). When his hopes to team up with Umberto are dashed, Derek has to work with Jade who is an amazing coder, but obviously doesn't like him so he won't be able to just play around in this class!
I love how Derek's parents know that he won't work hard to learn something unless he is desperate - great idea to give him a word processing only computer. #9 in the My Life series, My Life as a Coder is full of adventure (yes) mystery (of course) and Derek getting himself into crazy predicaments. Definitely not a stand alone, but an essential addition to the rest of the series.
Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...
February 11, 2021
"It’s nice knowing I’ve got three friends who have my back every single time I need it—which unfortunately is a lot.“
Derek is about to find out just how dangerous learning to be a coder can be. It might just get him kicked out of school or worse! Though he would rather sign up for the after school comedy club with Matt, Derek's parents want him to learn coding. They even buy him a laptop to encourage him to take the after school coding class. At least Umberto is also in the class, so Derek reluctantly agrees. “But Umberto’s enthusiasm makes me realize it’s been a while since I’ve been passionate about something.” Surprisingly, the lunch lady, Ms. Felix, is teaching the after school coding class. He likes Ms. Felix and some of things she says really seem to strike a chord with Derek. She wants kids like Derek to "contribute to the digital world, not just stare at it from the sidelines.” She wants them to understand how they use their time when it comes to technology. “Getting sucked into a rabbit hole versus making conscious choices is a battle for all of us.” Do you really want "a roomful of engineers competing for your attention 24/7"?
In the meanwhile, Derek notices that Carly isn't her usual effervescent self. She seems anxious and really down on herself. "Carly’s always taken things more seriously than the rest of my friends, but lately she’s blaming herself for mistakes." Derek decides he needs to make sure he's as good a friend to Carly as she always is for him. And when Derek's mom brings a "therapy horse" into her vet practice for a check up, Derek immediately knows what to do to help Carly.
As the coding class becomes more intense, Derek is he gets paired for a project with a Machiko, the “half nerd, half ninja” Machiko is a coding rockstar and talks about being a hacktivist, which is "an activist that hacks for the greater good.” Maybe this should have been a red flag to Derek, but he is enjoying the fact that Machiko is doing all the hard stuff and merely letting him do small bits and pieces of the project. “If I were a superhero, trying to get out of work would be my fatal flaw, the same way Supergirl avoids Kryptonite.” And by the time he figures out what Machiko is really up to, Derek is in way over his head ... and it's going to take all of his friends to help him climb back out!
I love this series because with every book, Derek makes new discoveries and grows as a person. He becomes a better friend toward others and understands his limitations and tries to improve upon them. A great twist at the end will really grab my readers.
Derek is about to find out just how dangerous learning to be a coder can be. It might just get him kicked out of school or worse! Though he would rather sign up for the after school comedy club with Matt, Derek's parents want him to learn coding. They even buy him a laptop to encourage him to take the after school coding class. At least Umberto is also in the class, so Derek reluctantly agrees. “But Umberto’s enthusiasm makes me realize it’s been a while since I’ve been passionate about something.” Surprisingly, the lunch lady, Ms. Felix, is teaching the after school coding class. He likes Ms. Felix and some of things she says really seem to strike a chord with Derek. She wants kids like Derek to "contribute to the digital world, not just stare at it from the sidelines.” She wants them to understand how they use their time when it comes to technology. “Getting sucked into a rabbit hole versus making conscious choices is a battle for all of us.” Do you really want "a roomful of engineers competing for your attention 24/7"?
In the meanwhile, Derek notices that Carly isn't her usual effervescent self. She seems anxious and really down on herself. "Carly’s always taken things more seriously than the rest of my friends, but lately she’s blaming herself for mistakes." Derek decides he needs to make sure he's as good a friend to Carly as she always is for him. And when Derek's mom brings a "therapy horse" into her vet practice for a check up, Derek immediately knows what to do to help Carly.
As the coding class becomes more intense, Derek is he gets paired for a project with a Machiko, the “half nerd, half ninja” Machiko is a coding rockstar and talks about being a hacktivist, which is "an activist that hacks for the greater good.” Maybe this should have been a red flag to Derek, but he is enjoying the fact that Machiko is doing all the hard stuff and merely letting him do small bits and pieces of the project. “If I were a superhero, trying to get out of work would be my fatal flaw, the same way Supergirl avoids Kryptonite.” And by the time he figures out what Machiko is really up to, Derek is in way over his head ... and it's going to take all of his friends to help him climb back out!
I love this series because with every book, Derek makes new discoveries and grows as a person. He becomes a better friend toward others and understands his limitations and tries to improve upon them. A great twist at the end will really grab my readers.
May 21, 2020
I have been a fan of this series since the beginning and even have a class set of the first one. This is number nine in the series and it does not disappoint. Derek is a reluctant reader and a struggling student. When his parents surprise him with a new laptop, but there is a catch--he has to take a coding class to learn how to program it. As Derek struggles with the coding class, he also gets help from his friends and helps them. Carly is struggling with some anxiety and possibly depression issues, but Derek involves her in some miniature horse therapy. Derek is also paired up in coding class with the mysterious female coding genius, Machiko. He loves that being her partner means less work for him, but their relationship is rather contentious.
This series is great for reluctant readers and is great to use with third graders making the transition from the Captain Underpants series and away from graphic supports like the Big Nate series. As a teacher, I really appreciate the vocabulary development that is included in all the books.
This series is great for reluctant readers and is great to use with third graders making the transition from the Captain Underpants series and away from graphic supports like the Big Nate series. As a teacher, I really appreciate the vocabulary development that is included in all the books.
April 14, 2020
Derek finally got his own laptop! However, it doesn't have any apps, not even Wifi. If he wants to play games on his new computer he will have to learn how to code. Good thing he can enroll in the after school coding elective, taught by one of the lunch ladies (what he really wanted was the comedy elective with Matt, but these are desperate times). When his hopes to team up with Umberto are dashed, Derek has to work with Jade who is an amazing coder, but obviously doesn't like him so he won't be able to just play around in this class!
I love how Derek's parents know that he won't work hard to learn something unless he is desperate - great idea to give him a word processing only computer. #9 in the My Life series, My Life as a Coder is full of adventure (yes) mystery (of course) and Derek getting himself into crazy predicaments. Definitely not a stand alone, but an essential addition to the rest of the series.
For this and more of my reviews, visit http://kissthebook.blogspot.com
I love how Derek's parents know that he won't work hard to learn something unless he is desperate - great idea to give him a word processing only computer. #9 in the My Life series, My Life as a Coder is full of adventure (yes) mystery (of course) and Derek getting himself into crazy predicaments. Definitely not a stand alone, but an essential addition to the rest of the series.
For this and more of my reviews, visit http://kissthebook.blogspot.com
December 13, 2022
My Life as a Coder (My Life, #9) by Janet Tashjian
Published April 7, 2020
<3 I found this hysterical to be a children's book. This was much better than I anticipated and really made me more interesting in coding. The voice artist really bought this to life for me. <3
#MentalHealth #Coding #Friendships #growingPains #EmotionalIntelligence
My Life as a Coder is the ninth book in Janet Tashjian's much-loved, diary fiction My Life series starring reluctant reader Derek Fallon.
Derek Fallon receives an exciting new gift—a laptop! But there's a catch: it has no Wi-Fi so he can't use it for gaming. If he wants to play computer games, he'll have to learn how to code them himself. Another unforgettable adventure awaits in Book 9 of the My Life series, this time involving tech and coding!
Published April 7, 2020
<3 I found this hysterical to be a children's book. This was much better than I anticipated and really made me more interesting in coding. The voice artist really bought this to life for me. <3
#MentalHealth #Coding #Friendships #growingPains #EmotionalIntelligence
My Life as a Coder is the ninth book in Janet Tashjian's much-loved, diary fiction My Life series starring reluctant reader Derek Fallon.
Derek Fallon receives an exciting new gift—a laptop! But there's a catch: it has no Wi-Fi so he can't use it for gaming. If he wants to play computer games, he'll have to learn how to code them himself. Another unforgettable adventure awaits in Book 9 of the My Life series, this time involving tech and coding!
August 28, 2020
My 10 year old son and I love this series. Very well written. The main character is entertaining and flawed in realistic ways that make him engaging and relatable. His group of friends is entertaining and funny. His parents are memorable and well-sketched. We've enjoyed all the the books in the series, and definitely. recommend for kids (and parents) looking for grounded depictions of middle school life with a sense of humor.
June 20, 2022
Another great lesson taught in a fun way! This time Derek learns about coding on computers and is teamed up with a class pro. Sadly, he learns the hard way about taking shortcuts to get your work done. The also discuss anxiety with Carly when she is not handling things well. I really think these books are great for middle schoolers!
July 18, 2020
This is such a relevant topic now with a lot of kids coding. This is a perfect addition to the My Life As A...series. I love the vocabulary weaved throughout. Thank you for allowing me to read this book.
November 1, 2020
A fun, humorous story about a boy who is learning to code on his new laptop. There are many timely references (the code.org curriculum for example) that make the story feel current. This series would be a good choice for reluctant readers.
November 9, 2020
Another winner -- with a coding focus -- in a series that Wimpy Kid fans will love!
July 10, 2022
Another great one tho it's not the best one. 9/10
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews