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What Teachers Say...

About C++ for You++



Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 16:37:15
From: Philip Ingber <pingber@magiccarpet.com>
Subject: [apcs] C++ for You++ (Litvin)
To: apcsteachers@kserver.org

I want to take a moment to place an unabashed plug for a book ... Gary and Maria Litvin's C++ for You++ is just excellent! It not only addresses code issues, but places emphasis on the Computer Science aspect of AP, which regretfully is left out of alot of other books.

Support for this text is excellent ... a great website, a very good review book and workbook. All in all, you couldn't ask for more support ... BUT ... Gary and Maria answer their emails!!! I've had quite a few questions in the past few weeks (I'm kind of a beginner at this stuff) and Gary has been most kind to answer all of my emails concisely and at my level of understanding. A definite PLUS!!!

I know alot of you have been looking for texts ... I've used the Corica text (Lawrenceville Press) and the Knowlton text and both have their place, but I suggest that you check out the Litvin book!

Philip Ingber, Nyack High School, Upper Nyack NY



Date: 6 Mar 2001 23:28:47
From: etorresran@aol.com
Subject: Re: [apcs] C++ for You++ (I concur!)
To: apcsteachers@kserver.org

I agree with all the positive comments regarding the Litvins and their C++ for You++ textbook, especially those comments regarding emails being answered in a timely manner. Questions about material in the textbook have come up in my class, I've gone home and emailed the Litvins, gotten a reply within hours so that I go to class the very next day with answers for my students. Talk about support!

Evelyn Torres-Rangel, San Gabriel, CA



Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2001 16:33:00
From: Lynn A. Fisher <lfisher@woodstockhs.k12.vt.us>
Subject: Re: C++ for You++, is this book really the best for AP Compsci?
To: ap-compsci@ets.org

I used C++ for You++ to teach myself C++ last summer, and to a pilot class of APCS (A) kids - the first ever at my school. It's all gone great. C++ for You++ isn't huge, it isn't expensive, and it's readable and well organized. The supplementary materials are extremely helpful.

Lynn Fisher, Woodstock High School, VT



Date: Mon, 02 Apr 2001 12:21:35 -0400
From: Jane Whalen WHALEN <whalenje@pwcs.edu>
Subject: Re: AP CompSci A textbook recommendations...
To: ap-compsci@ets.org

I like C++ For You++ by Litvin. It covers the AP curriculum with plenty of hands on material. I supplement the tests that come with it with some of my own questions. In addition, the text works for both Comp Sci A and AB. It also has a companion study guide for the AP Exam. The chapter in the study guide dealing with the case study is on line so it is updated as necessary.

Janelle Whalen, Forest Park High School, Woodbridge, VA



Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 15:00:46 -0400
From: George Benack <gebenack@chappaqua.k12.ny.us>
Subject: Re: Textbooks
To: ap-compsci@ets.org

I use C++ for you ++. It's well written from a student point of view -- by that I mean that my students say it is very readable and understandable. Maria Litvin and her husband are also very approachable in terms of questions and I believe they wil send you a copy for inspection.

There is an accompanying student workbook that you may also find useful since there are no exercises at the end of each chapter to speak of.

George Benack, Horace Greeley HS, Chappaqua, NY



Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2000 15:33:25 -0500
From: Harriet Fell <fell@ccs.neu.edu>
To: sales@skylit.com
Subject: Evaluation copies

I recently purchased a copy of the AP edition of "C++ for You++" for my son who is studying for the AP exam. I like the book better than any of the texts I have used for our freshman Computer Science majors course. My colleagues (Richard Rasala and Viera Proulx, same address as below) and I would like to see the standard version and workbook for possible use in our course.

Harriet Fell, College of Computer Science,
Northeastern University, Boston, MA



Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 10:53:22 -0500
From: "Bradley M. Kuhn" <bkuhn@ebb.org>
Subject: Re: Lawrenceville -- A Guide to Programming in C++
To: Multiple recipients of list <ap-compsci@ets.org>

... However, perhaps you can do what we did. Since I have only 17 students, I used our "AP Prep. Budget" to purchase _C++ for You++, AP Edition_ for our students. It's a very good book for a high-school level course.

... I have found that the best text for the high school level AP course (A and AB) is _C++ for You++_. I recommend it.

Bradley M. Kuhn, Walnut Hill High School, Cincinnati, OH



Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1999 15:43:32 -0500
From: Charles Cauley <cauleyc@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: ap endorcement
To: Multiple recipients of list <ap-compsci@ets.org>

As it has already been said before, the Litvin text: C++ for You++ is a wonderful text for AP CS. I find it very useful and easy to understand. Probably the best part about it is that you can e-mail the two authors anytime you have a question about something they wrote in their book!

Charles E. Cauley, Fairfield Central High School, Winnsboro, SC



Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 17:04:29 -0400
From: Judith Hromcik <jhromcik@tenet.edu>
Subject: Re: C++ for You++
To: Multiple recipients of list <ap-compsci@ets.org>

I have not used the book yet, but I have reviewed it. So did the other teachers at Arlington's 4 other high schools. we were all impressed with the book and have formally adopted it for our AP CS II (AB) course. I have always had to supplement this course before with a lot of outside material. I don't think that I will have to supplement as much with this book. Finally, there is a book written specifically for the AP CS II course.

Judy Hromcik, Arlington High School, Arlington, Texas

Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 18:19:31 -0400
From: John Hanna <tejohhan@bergen.org>
Subject: RE: C++ for You++
To: Multiple recipients of list <ap-compsci@ets.org>

I use it. I like it. Readable. No 'exercises' in the text, but I LOVE having the lab files on our server so that kids can open them and do the labs that are in the book. The workbook contains the exercises, so each student should have both. Good sequence. I got through first 9 chapters since Midterms in January. Students have had 1 year of BASIC and first semester this year was VB3. Next year these students will have a whole year of APCS.

John Hanna, Teaneck High School, Teaneck, N.J.

Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 20:11:16 -0400
From: rteuk@spacenet.tn.cornell.edu (Teukolsky)
To: skylit@concentric.net

Hi, this is Roselyn Teukolsky from Ithaca High School. I have enjoyed using your book "C++ for You++" to prepare my AP course for next year. The text is very crisp and accessible for kids and I'm very pleased that I chose this book as our textbook.

Roselyn Teukolsky, Ithaca High School, Ithaca, NY

Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 18:27:31 -0400
From: sriehle@cretin-derhamhall.pvt.k12.mn.us (Sharon Riehle)
Subject: Re: Corica's "Guide to Programming in C++"?
To: Multiple recipients of list <ap-compsci@ets.org>

I also have used the Lawrenceville Pascal text and was very pleased with it. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for their C++ text ...

I am switching to "C++ for You++" for our new AP Comp Sci course next year.

Sharon Riehle, Cretin-Derham Hall High School, St. Paul, MN

Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 22:14:26 -0500
From: Sam Koski <skoski@compuserve.com>
To: "INTERNET:ap-compsci@ets.org" <ap-compsci@ets.org>
Subject: Textbook: C++ for You++

Steve,

I got a examination copy of C++ for You++ and found it VERY readable and informative. I have had some experience with C and the book cleared up many problems that I had been having with some of the topics in C++. (references vrs. pointers to name just one) It would be well worth your while to look at this book. I am still awaiting an examination copy of The Tapestry book for review, but if I had to choose today, I wouldn't have any problem with C++ for You++

Sam Koski, Miami Springs Senior High, Miami Springs, Florida

Date: Sun, 28 Sep 1997 14:11:21 -0400
From: Don Coudert
To: ap-compsci@ets.org
Subject: Re: c++ for you ++

Here are a few of my observations about Litvins' "C++ for You++".

I first saw the book at a summer workshop. It is one of several that I considered for adoption. I am using "C++ for You++ " in our "Programming in C++" course at St. Joseph Central High School. My students have already had a course in "True BASIC" and three took a course in Pascal last year. We dropped the Pascal this year in favor of C++. The response was very favorable. I have a class of 13 students.

They are all enthusiastic about the book, its style, and its case studies. My students and I find the book very readable and the case studies very helpful. Also, we have found the workbooks to be very good for reviewing and re-inforcing concepts in the textbook.

I do use simple programs of my own to illustrate points, along with the case studies. So far, I have been very pleased with both the books and the support from the Litvins.

Don Coudert, St. Joseph Central High School, Pittsfield, Mass

Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 07:38:28 GMT
From: Sharon_Betts@gorham.k12.me.us (Sharon Betts)
To: ap-compsci@ets.org
Subject: Re: Textbook: C++ for You++

I am reviewing their first book C++ for You++ - and I really think it is great. (I use it as a reference at this point.) The special AP version is due out very soon and I am anxious to see it. I expect to use it for my first AP class next year if it stands up to the reputation of the first version.

Needless to say, I recommend it to you -

Sharon Betts, Computer Technology, Gorham High School, Maine

Date: Wed, 24 Sep 97 20:13:03 EDT
From: droudebu@pen.k12.va.us (Deborah M Roudebush)
To: ap-compsci@ets.org
Subject: Re: c++ for you ++

We are using C++ for You++ in our first year class in computer math in Loudoun County this year. We are very pleased with the book. I think the biggest asset for the book are the use of case studies throughout. The second biggest asset is the OUTSTANDING workbook that Maria and Gary have developed. They are currently working on a test bank to add to their ancillary materials. They give complete coverage of the ap classes, and the language is very readable. I used the book briefly at the end of last year and many of my students indicated that they planned to hang onto their copies because it provided such clear explanations, good graphics and many programming examples.

The projects and programming problems are very pertinent to the kids and I find them fun to attack. I am pleased with our choice of text.

There is sufficient coverage of the AB topics that the students will have plenty to loearn next year. We anticipate getting two years of material for the price of one book. I particularly like their approach to recursion.

Deborah Roudebush, Potomac Falls High School, VA

Date: Fri, 26 Sep 1997 17:08:49 -0400
From: jlatson@ids.net (Jon B. Latson)
To: ap-compsci@ets.org
Subject: Re: c++ for you ++

I am using C++ for You++ for the first time, in a first course in computer science at Wheeler. The case studies (and the student files to run the cases) have made the first chapters interesting without being overwhelming. Indeed I was concerned that chapter 2, which opens with a program containing most of the 1st semester's content, would blow my nascent nerd brigade away. I mean, where's hello world? The students love it; it's real stuff even if they can't understand all the syntax. The workbook is also excellent, and challenging, with the kinds of questions that provoke discussions (not that I've looked at the teacher disk file that contains _all_ the workbook solutions!) This is certainly a teachable text, and as comprehensive and clear as the students need, and enough fun to keep them going. JBL

Jon B. Latson, The Wheeler School, Providence, RI

Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 23:42:18 -0400 (EDT)
From: djl13@eagle.buf.servtech.com
To: ap-compsci@ets.org, Multiple recipients of list ap-compsci@ets.org
Subject: Re: Textbooks

A note regarding textbooks: The book by Maria and Gary Litvin published by Skylight Software ISBN 0965485307 and 0965485315 are certainly worth your time to seriously consider.

Some may say it is short on projets and/or assignments. Most texts are short of these, no matter what the discipline. And, most texts, even though they may have many assignments, will never meet the criteria of each educator or have the "right" type of assignement or project. A bit of creativity on our part can suppliment any text.

To me, this text looks like a good one to consider.

Dennis Linda, Canisius High School, Buffalo, NY

"For a course text, I would choose one like yours over many, if not all, of the other ones out there. The college texts clearly do not do the job. Deitel & Deitel, for example, is a great book to use as a reference but I cannot imagine teaching out of it."

Roger Foley, The Taft School, CT

"Wow, what a great book. I really like the way you have employed programs in the form of case studies. Complex enough to raise interest and documented well by your writing."

Reg Hahne, Atholton High School, Columbia, MD

"I am very enthusiastic about your book... The introductory chapter is the best I've seen --- finally up-to- date information about computer systems. I had one very knowledgeable student read your chapter while the rest of my class was reading the book I currently use. He was impressed, too. Your explanations are clear and appropriate for high school students without talking down to them. The first program is a lot to handle but a really good introduction. It shows students that the programs are not just "kidstuff," not trivial. Then the fast food case study lets them catch their breath and deal with a much easier problem in detail."

Kathleen Larson, Kingston High School, NY

"Recently, I was asked by a colleague at another school to recommend a textbook for the AP Comp Sci course. I thought I would share this advice:

This year we have used a new book "C++ for You++, An Introduction to Programming and Computer Science" by Maria LItvin (Philips Academy, Andover, MA) and Gary Litvin (Skylight Software, Inc.). The book is a comprehensive approach to mastering C++ and the Advanced Placement Computer Science curriculum. Each of my students has found the text readable and well organized. I can recommend it highly as both a C++ text and for AP preparation. As early users of the text, we would have preferred more examples, but these have been added in the most recently published edition -- making this book an outstanding tool in the teaching of the new AP Comp Sci Curriculum."

John K. Thurner, EdD, EdM, Tech. Dir. Belmont Hill School, Belmont, Mass

"I have used the book with my students. They like it.... My favorite part is the clear explanation of pointers/references."

Sallie Loop, Lake Highlands High School, Dallas, Texas



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