About the Author
Deirdre Langeland has been a children’s book editor and writer for more than twenty years. As an editor, she has edited award-winning picture books, unique and quirky comics, high-concept middle grade fiction, and in-depth narrative nonfiction. As a writer, she has authored everything from a Curious George picture book to a nonfiction/fantasy mash-up about unicorns. She lives in New York’s Hudson River Valley with her husband and her daughter, who also serves as her contemporary middle school slang consultant.
Sarah Mai is an illustrator, cartoonist, and writer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has a degree in English Literature from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities where she developed a passion for graphic novels. Her main inspiration is bold color, strong, playful shape making, street style, and people watching.
Product Description
In this funny and heartfelt slice-of-life graphic novel for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Kayla Miller, when coding whiz Zoey goes from homeschooled to new school, she develops an app to help her make friends. Will the Cool Code help Zoey fit in? Or will it completely crash her social life?
In an attempt to fit in, Zoey develops an app called the Cool Code with a cute llama avatar that will tell her everything from what to say to what to wear based on pop culture algorithms she’s uploaded.
But when the app gives her ridiculous advice, awkwardness and hilarity ensues. With a few upgrades and a bit of debugging from the coding club, the app actually works—Zoey gets really popular . . . and gets her pulled in all kinds of directions, including away from her real friends.
Life’s most complicated choices. . . is there a code for that?
From School Library Journal
Gr 5–8—Homeschooled Zoey isn't thrilled that her parents' new time-intensive work project means she now has to attend Hawthorne Middle School. Anxious about becoming a social outcast, Zoey uses her talent for coding to develop the Cool Code, an app that will guide her through the pitfalls of middle school and straight to popularity. Unfortunately, the app is far from perfect, but with the help of her new friends Daniel (who has brown skin a dark, curly hair) and Morgan (who has a Chinese surname), Zoey is determined to make it—and herself—a success. The artwork is vibrant, with expressive characters, including C.C., the outspoken pink llama avatar of the Cool Code app. Zoey (who has light skin and brown hair) is a likable character who clearly can handle making friends on her own, even if she doesn't always have the confidence, but readers will still relate to her anxiety. The students at Hawthorne Middle School are diverse in appearance and are generally supportive of, although often confused by, Zoey as she tests out different versions of her program. VERDICT A humorous exploration of cracking the middle school social code for anyone craving more personified snarky llamas in their lives.—Amanda Melilli
Review
“Mai’s bright, full-color art is reminiscent of Raina Telgemeier’s and should instantly appeal to her fans.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A humorous exploration of cracking the middle school social code for anyone craving more personified snarky llamas in their lives.” — School Library Journal
"Mai's full-color artwork is inviting and cartoony, complete with noodle arms and exaggerated eyes, but the app avatar C.C., a pink llama, is simply adorable and certainly the star of the show. An easy and engaging pick for STEM-loving middle-graders." — Booklist
