Lauren Ipsum: A Story About Computer Science and Other Improbable Things

“A looking glass tale for the computer age.” —School Library Journal

Lauren Ipsum is a whimsical journey through a land where logic and computer science come to life.

Meet Lauren, an adventurer lost in Userland who needs to find her way home by solving a series of puzzles. As she visits places like the Push & Pop Café and makes friends with people like Hugh Rustic and the Wandering Salesman, Lauren learns about computer science without even realizing it—and so do you!

Read Lauren Ipsum yourself or with someone littler than you, then flip to the notes at the back of the book to learn more about logic and computer science in the real world.

“Lauren Ipsum is part of a much larger movement that seeks to bring programming skills to, well, everyone.” —Wired

“Captures the spirit of problem-solving and ignites readers’ imaginations.” —Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO and author of Lean In

“A fantastical journey into the 21st century tech ‘Wonderland’ that both educates and entertains.” —Ruthe Farmer, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer, National Center for Women & IT

Suggested for ages 10 and up

Table of Contents

Chapter 0: Mostly Lost
Chapter 1: A Hidden Ally
Chapter 2: Sense and Sensibleness
Chapter 3: Rounding Error
Chapter 4: What the Tortoise Said to Laurie
Chapter 5: Welcome to Symbol
Chapter 6: A Tinker’s Trade
Chapter 7: Read Me
Chapter 8: More Than One Way to Do It
Chapter 9: Don’t Repeat Yourself
Chapter 10: A Well-Timed Entrance
Chapter 11: A Fair Exchange
Chapter 12: An Improbable Twist
Chapter 13: The Game of Life
Chapter 14: In the Abstract
Chapter 15: Cleverness When It Counts
Chapter 16: A Change of Plan
Chapter 17: Chasing Elegants
Chapter 18: Many Hands Make Light Work
Chapter 19: Branching Out
Chapter 20: Fin
Chapter 21: One More Thing