Secret Coders: Paths & Portals is the second book in Gene Luen Yang's graphic novel series that cleverly integrates computer science education into an engaging mystery adventure. Aimed at children aged 6-9, this book follows protagonists Hopper, Eni, and Josh as they continue to unravel the secrets of the Bee School, an abandoned coding institute beneath their own Stately Academy. Readers will learn basic programming concepts like Logo commands and binary code alongside the characters, solving puzzles and facing antagonists like Principal Dean and the mysterious Dr. One-Zero. The author, a former computer science teacher, designed the series to be educational, fun, and accessible, making it an excellent choice for sparking interest in STEM fields while providing an exciting story.
"There's something lurking beneath the surface of Stately Academy―literally. In a secret underground classroom Hopper, Eni, and Josh discover that the campus was once home to the Bee School, an institute where teachers, students, and robots worked together to unravel the mysteries of coding. Hopper and her friends are eager to follow in this tradition and become top-rate coders. But why are Principal Dean and the rugby team suddenly so interested in their extracurricular activities?"--publisher.