children's fiction (4th-6th grade)
This book checks all the boxes for diversity: group of friends with obviously different ethnic backgrounds (as well as very different extracurricular interests), a mom who is a programmer, dealing with bullies, having to work together with former bestie, problem solving and learning patience. The story itself also teaches some basic coding principles but the series will be of limited interest to anyone who is not already very interested in learning to code.

I would recommend this book to my younger chapter book readers that are interested in relationships and coding. I think that it is a bit formulaic, but some younger readers truly enjoy this as it is comfortable and they know what to expect.

I did not finish Girls Who Code because it is for upper elementary readers, which is not whom I am reading for, as I am a teen librarian. I apologize as I was new to NetGalley, and not really sure what I was doing! I appreciate your sharing with it me, though, and our children's librarian has added it to our collection!

This book will become a go to for me when recommending books to children in late elementary and middle school. While this focuses on girls specific act coding, the empowerment and friendship can read across activities. I really believe this is the start of a great series that will help encourage the young girls of the current generation to work hard and be kind to each other, making anything possible.

Girls Who Code is an amazing movement and "The Friendship Code" is an excellent book. It is entertaining, educational, and engaging. The diverse cast of characters will allow girls from many different backgrounds to see themselves in the story, while also explaining coding concepts in simple terms that even this tech-challenged librarian could understand. 5/5 stars.

Nothing masterful going on here but overall a cute start to a series that many young readers will enjoy. The author does a fine job with a tricky task (crafting a story that introduces coding concepts in an interesting and not-entirely-random-for-the-plot way), and readers will like the simple puzzles and themes of friendship at the story's core. The book also features a diverse cast of characters, with young females who are interested in and good at more than "one thing" (for example, the girl who knows the most about coding wants to sing in theater club and the "nerdy" protagonist wants to learn more about fashion, etc.). A graphic novel version of this would do really well. A nice addition to an upper elementary school or classroom library. .

Recommend to: girls in 4th or 5th grade who like stories about friendship but aren't too picky AND to girls interested in coding, of course!

As soon as I read about this book, I thought of a modern day Baby-sitters Club! This was a cute and quick read. I think all upper elementary students will enjoy it. I like the concept (coding) and think that this series will go far.