Recommended Reading For Learning Python

I would say "Core Python Programming" by Chun.

> I would say "Core Python Programming" by Chun.

ahh.. forgot about that one. That was actually the first Python book I ever bought. However, that was an older edition. I haven't checked out the latest edition.

The latest Core Python book is excellent. Every one of them should also get a copy of the latest Essential Reference. Some links I keep in my pocket:

http://rgruet.free.fr/
http://www.cs.luc.edu/%7Eanh/python/hands-on/handsonHtml/handson.html
http://kogs-www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/~meine/python_tricks
http://ibiblio.org/obp/thinkCS/python.php
http://swaroopch.info/text/Byte_of_Python:Main_Page
http://wiki.python.org/moin/PythonSpeed/PerformanceTips

I would add <a href="http://www.swc.scipy.org/">Software Carpentry</a> to that list too. It's the material that a couple people have used for university level python courses.

I'd recommend doing a project to learn. That is talk about processes for making things. Often the language is only part of the process of learning.

So I'd find out a little useful project they might want to make and direct them in the process, and tools needed to make that project. Along with helping them figure out if the project is possible for them to do.

Often young people are often interested in making games... and if these people are interested in games I'd get them to make a small game. People learn better if they are interested, and passionate about something. To that end I'd show them my set of lectures on learning python through games programming http://rene.f0o.com/mywiki/PythonGameProgramming