• Age: 10 to 14
• Grade: 5 to 9
• Reading age: 10 to 14

Think like a programmer with this fun beginner’s guide to Python for ages 10 to 14

Kids can learn to code with the power of Python! Python Programming for Beginners is the perfect way to introduce aspiring coders to this simple and powerful coding language. This book teaches kids all about Python and programming fundamentals—and is packed full of fun and creative activities that make learning a blast!

In Python Programming for Beginners, kids will start off with the basics, learning all about fundamental coding concepts and how they can put these concepts together in Python to build their own games and programs. Each chapter focuses on a different coding concept—like variables, data types, and loops—and features three awesome coding activities to try. These activities get more difficult as they go, so young coders can see just how much their skills are growing. By the end of Python Programming for Beginners, they’ll create their own fully functional sci-fi game and crack the code to a secret message!

Python Programming for Beginners features:

• No coding experience needed!—Designed just for kids, this Python programming book is filled with step-by-step directions, simple explanations, and detailed code breakdowns.
• Build a coding toolbox—Kids will build their programming skills, learn how to troubleshoot bugs with a handy bug-hunting guide, and practice their Python programming knowledge with cool activities.
• Why Python programming?—Python is an awesome starting language for kids! It’s a powerful programming language that can be used for lots of projects but features simple syntax so beginners can focus on learning programming logic.

Set kids up for a lifetime of programming success with Python Programming for Beginners .

Patricia Foster is a software developer from Ottawa, Canada. Since graduating from Carleton University in 2017, she’s tutored students, written for magazines, and contributed to books about programming. She’s passionate about helping others discover their love of computer science. You can often find her drinking peppermint tea, petting a cat, or dancing in an elevator—though probably not all at once.

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“An excellent book for any young person who wants to build a strong foundation in computer science. After trying out the tween-friendly example projects, the reader will be ready to test out their own programming ideas and begin applying what they have learned to increasingly complex programming projects.” —Jennifer Newell, Middle School Teacher and Computer Science Contributor for beanz Magazine

“Perfect for middle school level technology classes and coding clubs, Patricia Foster's Python Programming for Beginners demystifies beginner level programming concepts. Providing 20 fun program challenges that include gaming references and colorful illustrations that the middle school crowd will enjoy, Foster has found a unique way of engaging her often hard-to-reach audience. Accessible to those with limited to no programming experience, the text provides the building blocks necessary for youth to advance to computer science courses in high school.” —Bianca Rivera, Teacher and CoderDojo Mentor

“This is a great resource for any kid interested in programming and coding! I worked through a few of the lessons with my 9-year-old daughter, and she’s excited to keep going. The book does a great job of showing that programming is something kids can do and helps them understand how it actually works.” —Jennifer Johnstone

“This is a great resource for any kid interested in programming and coding! I worked through a few of the lessons with my 9-year-old daughter, and she’s excited to keep going. The book does a great job of showing that programming is something kids can do and helps them understand how it actually works.” —Jennifer Johnstone

“Perfect for middle school level technology classes and coding clubs, Patricia Foster's Python Programming for Beginners demystifies beginner level programming concepts. Providing 20 fun program challenges that include gaming references and colorful illustrations that the middle school crowd will enjoy, Foster has found a unique way of engaging her often hard-to-reach audience. Accessible to those with limited to no programming experience, the text provides the building blocks necessary for youth to advance to computer science courses in high school.” —Bianca Rivera, Teacher and CoderDojo Mentor