Best teen computer science books according to redditors

https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Good-Ultimate-Guide-Gaming/dp/1984826751/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=tyler+blevins+ninja&qid=1570926654&sprefix=tyler+ble&sr=8-2

I teach APCS. There's no doubt that having a good, experienced teacher can make a difference. But I also believe that for a motivated student, there are plenty of resources available online that can prepare you well too. I really like the [Litvin prep book] (https://www.amazon.com/Prepared-Computer-Science-Exam-Java/dp/0982477538/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481588368&sr=8-1&keywords=be+prepared+for+the+ap+computer+science+exam+in+java). It tells you exactly what you need to know and its practice exams are just a little more rigorous than the ones on the AP exam. If you do well on those you will definitely do well on the exam. I also like [this] (http://interactivepython.org/runestone/static/JavaReview/index.html) online textbook, from Georgia Tech. Finally, [PracticeIt] (http://practiceit.cs.washington.edu/) and codingbat are indispensible. Just do lots of coding on your own and you will be in good shape.

What most consider the original is actually titled:

• Hackers by Steven Levy
  
  More recently, there have been several excellent titles. My suggestion is stick to non fiction as it will truly scare the yell out of you.
  
  
• Kingpin by Kevin Paulsen
  
  
• Hackers and Hacking by Margaret Haerens
  
  
• Cyber War by Richard C Clarke
  
  
• Schneier on Security by Bruce Schneier ---
  Almost everything by Bruce
  
  
• The Art of Intrusion by Kevin Mitnick. He has a couple of books as you may know. The advantage is he offers the perspective of a "former" hacker.
  
  I can recommend more but these are good starting points. Fiction is fun but for pure terror, grasping what these authors are revealing is the key.

I didn't have that book but I did read this one by Christopher Lampton.

http://www.amazon.com/Create-Adventure-Games-Computer-Awareness/dp/0531101193

He also wrote Programming in Basic that taught me BASIC before I even had a computer. I wrote my programs on paper for fun and I think that's why my mom got me a used PC for Christmas. So I credit him partly for how I turned out.

Having the linked book online is cool though.

I self-prepared myself for this test a few years ago...wasn't that bad.

Granted, I knew quite a bit of programming, but still.

I used 2 books:
Be Prepared for the AP Computer Science Exam in Java (might have been an older edition, doesn't really matter)
The Barron's AP book (it was the A and AB book, but I just skipped the AB chapters).

New/old book doesn't matter, just make sure you look up what has changed in the last few years (on the AP site).

Also, I did a lot a practice in C# (heh), and just refreshed myself on the syntax in the last month or so.

It's very possible to get a 5 self-taught. Good luck!

PM me if you have questions :)

Edit: DO take a few practice tests. The format is somewhat difficult to get used to, especially having to write code by hand. I ended up drawing arrows after not leaving enough space in the middle portions of my code.

Yep. Although look into also getting a separate book for FRQs. I used this book for FRQ practice to great effect (took it in May 2018, got a 5). Although YMMV, since I had years of prior experience.

The class starts assuming you have no knowledge of Java or programming at all for that matter. It's what you make of it. It's an application based course that requires you to build off of topics learned earlier for creating more and more complex programs. So, by the time the test comes around you should have a good knowledge of all the topics that could be covered(sans maybe ASCII). Don't sweat it I got a 4 without too much studying. I don't reccomend Barons for free response only multiple choice and

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0982477538?cache=b6bdf3aee60a715915ae39f5d8504b08&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1414546535&sr=8-2#ref=mp_s_a_1_2 for free response.

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