Dress Coded is a great book for middle schoolers and young adults, but parents and school staff should read it as well. Carrie Firestone has written a book that captures the good and bad parts of growing up, and hits the bullseye with bullying and body shaming in middle school. The story begins with young Molly Frost starting a Podcast entitled "Dress Coded" to address an awful situation that took place at Fisher Middle School. Her friend Olivia was reprimanded for not following the dress code. The Principal and Assistant Principal took her outside and yelled at her for wearing a tank top and not removing the sweatshirt that was tied around her waist, draping down over her white jeans. Any female of any age knows that wearing white jeans is an invitation to your period and it was the same for Olivia. Caught unawares, she used her sweatshirt to cover up and called her sister to bring her new clothes. Case closed - but it wasn't because the adults felt it necessary to embarrass Olivia, bringing her to tears. Then they blamed the cancellation of the 8th grade camping trip on Olivia breaking the dress code. Molly was late to school that morning and cut through the "Kindness Garden" witnessing the whole thing. She came up with the podcast to make sure that Fisher Middle School knew the truth and stopped blaming Olivia. Needless to say, the podcast was a hit and people apologized to Olivia. As the podcast grows in popularity, kids of all ages come forward with stories of their own dress coding, body shaming and the inexplicable inequality of the dress coding comes to light. Also concerning was the neglect or improper handling of bullying. Girls are coded, boys are not. Girls who are wearing the exact same outfit are only coded if they are curvy or tall. High School girls contact Molly to be on the podcast and its soon obvious to the students and their parents that something must be done.

What I really liked about this story, both as a parent and a middle school librarian, was that Firestone treated the entire situation with gravity and fairness, and with an appropriate sense of humor.. The kids all kept their parents in the loop and there were plenty of teachers who, when made aware of the situation, sided with the students and did their best to help the students change things. The parents were outraged - some of them victims themselves, and stood by their children, even assisting and participating in the best peaceful protest I've read about in a long time. Fairstone is an excellent writer - she has written other books but this is her first one for middle schoolers. She did a superb job with the middle schoolers, capturing their worries and dreams, and how awful most of us felt at that age. Dress Coded would be a great classroom book - lots of food for though and discussion, but also to show children that they can be heard without being violent and disrespectful, and that they CAN make a difference. I plan to purchase many copies of this book both as gifts and for our library. I hope it can open up dialog between kids and their parents, as well as students , teachers and school administrators.

I am thrilled to have read the ARC and look forward to Carrie Firestone's next book. Thank you!!

First off, thank you to Net Galley for an ARC of Dress Coded. This is an enjoyable and well written "middle grade" novel. I found it refreshing how the main character, Molly, describes her varying types of friends (ie. sit next to on the bus friend versus a sleep over friend) and how the concept has evolved as she and her classmates have gotten older. Exactly how an 11, 12 or 13 year old would explain the social hierarchy of grade school dynamics.

The overall theme of discrimination towards the female middle school students because of an outdated dress code, is very relevant in today's education system. Firestone does a very good job of creating early teen characters who are constantly balancing their own emotions and insecurities against their desire to stand for something they believe in.

Dress Coded shows how difficult middle school can be and how much worse it can be when rules are not enforced consistently and one group is discriminated against. In Dress Coded the girls who have hit puberty are the targets of body shaming but any group could be targeted unfairly and the ramifications are far reaching as depicted by the various stories shared in Dress Coded. A well written and thoughtful MG novel.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Dress Coded! This was a fast-paced read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I like that it dealt not just with the school's dress code, but other issues affecting young teens (like vaping!!). The short chapters kept me turning pages and wanting to know what would happen next. The podcast sections were fun too. I will definitely look into adding this book to my classroom library (7th grade).

What was she wearing? In Dress Coded, Molly Frost asks why the administration at her middle school seems to believe that it matters. After one of her friends is found to be in violation of the dress code and the eighth grade class camping trip is cancelled in response, Molly decides enough is enough. She starts a podcast, interviewing other girls in her grade and even some high school students about their experiences of being dress coded and the unequal application of the dress code standards. Her podcast turns into a revolution, and the girls of Fisher Middle School aren't backing down.

This was a fantastic book. Some of Molly’s problems seem a bit exaggerated (her brother’s vaping addiction occasionally feels heavy-handed), but her emotions ring true. Cycling through narrative, podcast episodes, and journal-like letters, Molly tackles the emotional repercussions of her school’s dress code on the already difficult middle school experience, family problems, changing friendships, bullies, and the reality of growing up. A strong feminist message and a compelling story, I recommend this book as a staple in school and public libraries.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for allowing me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone. This book will be released in July 2020. All opinions are my own.

8th grader Molly Frost starts a podcast in protest of how the dress code is handled at her middle school. The administration unfairly targets female students and shames them for what they're wearing. One girl is dress coded for wearing a tank top. Another is dress coded for wearing the same outfit as Molly who doesn't get dress coded. One girl misses a quiz in order to change and isn't allowed to make it up. Finally, a girl is dress code and given detention for her natural hair style. Molly starts the podcast so the stories of her friends, classmates, and former Fisher Middle School students can be heard. This leads to a movement to get the dress code removed so future students won't have to go through the same humiliation, stress, and turmoil as they did.

This book covers so much. I love the message about being comfortable with who you are and being able to wear what makes you feel comfortable. Being female isn't a distraction and it shouldn't be treated as such. This book isn't just about dress codes though. It has important messages about friendship and how how relationships can change, especially in middle school. It also addresses vaping and nicotine addiction which are both becoming more prevalent in middle schools. I really enjoyed the format of the novel as well. It's told through narration, podcast episodes, and various letters written by Molly. I found this book to be inspirational and powerful. It's a book I wish would have been available for me to read when I was in middle school.

As a middle school librarian who refuses to dress code anyone. I found this book to be highly relevant. I'm really looking forward to purchasing multiple copies and getting them into the students' hands. The characters' points are well thought out. Their protests are spot on. I loved Molly's podcast and the way high school students participated, demonstrating the historic nature of the problem. In case you can't tell, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I only wish there were more Black characters. However, being familiar with Avon, CT (the setting), I understand.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book is fantastic! It includes so many important topics for middle grades readers while being engaging and well written. The story focuses on an 8th grade girl who starts a podcast because of a dress code that targets and shames girls at their school. Her podcast is her way of standing up for her friends and herself. She ends up getting a lot of support for her actions and the students have a peaceful protest because no one will listen to their concerns. This book tackles issues of objectifying girls, puberty, changing friendships, bullying, body shaming, sexism. It also shows readers the power of using their own voices and standing up for their rights.

Loved it! So true to middle schoolers - at school, with friends, self-consciousness, and in family dynamics. Great example of finding your voice and using it! Highly recommended purchase for middle school libraries

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is an absolute delight and a must-have for all middle school classroom libraries! The author touches on so many important issues in a way that kids will understand and appreciate. The topic of policing girls' bodies using an unfair school dress code is one that many students will identify with, and I loved the inclusion of the vaping subplot as well. The story is inspiring but never preachy, and the author does a great job of capturing an eighth grader's voice and all of the worries, drama, and fears that accompany that time in someone's life. Buy a copy for the middle school English teachers in your life!

Review posted on Goodreads on June 18, 2020.

I was really excited about the premise of this book, seeing the potential relevance and connections to students at our junior high and high school library. I couldn't get past the writing style. I expected a hair more maturity to
believe the characters and the plot. There were so many characters that it would be hard for my girls to keep up with who each person is, their relationships, and their general character/personality.
I had to give up about 50% through (which isn't like me, truly!).
Hopefully the final version will prove to be tighter, elevated, and achieve a fullness that this version didn't quite have for me.

3 stars

This is a wonderful concept, and it is truly charming to watch and listen to the main character, Molly, outline her grievances, make space for others, and find creative outlets (notably a podcast) for achieving these goals.

Molly notices the injustice surrounding dress coding early on, but it's a particular instance that proves the final straw: the targeting of a particular classmate who is more developed than some of her peers, who has an embarrassing moment that all people with periods can relate to (though I wish this were not embarrassing - that's a whole other deal), and who gets publicly shamed for baring her shoulders on campus. The entire scene really transports the reader back to middle school and provides some solid empathetic horror. After getting this classmate's story, the m.c. continues recording first hand experiences and becomes quite the activist.

While the premise is excellent and there are many strengths, there are a few aspects of this novel that did not work for me. Molly - a middle schooler - talks and writes like an established adult: a confident one at that. I'll avoid spoilers, but there are various interactions in which she is more poised and eloquent than most adults would be in her the same scenario. It is...weird. In general, her voice always felt like an adult was writing her, and that is tough in a middle grade novel (but possible to escape! For a recent example, see Julie Murphy's _Sweet Pea_). On the other hand, Molly's mom is unbearable. There is a true role reversal going on that I did not understand. The mother is weirdly obsessed with Molly's future prom date...in four years. However, she seems to have no clue what either of her kids is actually doing or how to provide guidance or support. Their dynamic was crazy making for me. I also found this novel to be way too long. The dress coding situation is a great frame, but other aspects - like the vaping and quick mentions of the kids' identities - were random and not well integrated. All of these components have promise, but I wish there had been some thorough reworking in the noted areas.

This concept is absolutely worthy of a read, but I did find myself really frustrated by some of what I felt I was wading through on the journey.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC. Molly Frost is my new heroine. Having had middle school daughters experience a similar dress-code, with similar purpose of not distracting boys, this book really hit home. Although they thankfully never encountered the bullying by staff, the scenes in this book were all too possible. I appreciated the subplot of the dangers of vaping and a family in turmoil, as well as middle school friend issues. Can’t wait to recommend this book to many of our patrons. 4.5 stars.

I have read Firestone’s previous books and loved every single one of them. When I heard about Dress Coded, I was intrigued. Although it is considered middle grade, older teens and adults can enjoy the strong friendships and girl power.

These girls banded together to fight for what they believed in, fighting the injustice of school dress codes that are not always fair and targets girls in particular. United against the cause and with Molly’s podcast the girls have a platform to express themselves which is very clever and apt for our modern times.

Yes! Yes! Yes! I absolutely loved Dress Coded! It covered so much ground in terms of the middle school experience. I think this would be a perfect title for a middle school book club, or even as a family read. It’s empowering! (especially for girls, but for everyone really!) The methods of getting things accomplished could be translated into other causes that people believe in and want to stand up for. The dress code concept and the ways it harms and dehumanizes were demonstrated in so many different ways via the podcast and the stories each guest bravely shared. There is so much worth talking about in this book in addition to the dress code focus. For example, vaping, being yourself, dealing with bullying, finding people to believe in you, support you, and fight alongside you when necessary, how the things you say and do impact others, how policies and systems can harm people when the enforcers aren’t showing any empathy/compassion/understanding. Even if read individually, without a discussion group, this book is so worth it because it’s compelling and it flows. The podcast and letter formats fit in to the story smoothly! I loved the letters for their openness and honesty. There were some LOL moments in this book, in addition to some cheer worthy moments! I’ll be finding hands and hearts to share it with as soon as this one gets released!

Before reading this book, students in one of my classes was grumbling about the school dress code. How I wish this had be available for them to read as it dealt with many of the issues the female students were complaining about.

Molly Frost is about to graduate from middle school. The school has promised a camping trip if there are no dress code infractions until the end of the school year. But when there is an infraction due to a personal reason by one of Molly's friends, the trip is cancelled. Upset by the unfairness of the school dress code at the middle school, Molly decides to start a podcast where she interviews people that have been dress coded. These girls share their embarrassing and sometimes traumatizing experiences involved with being dress coded.

Since I had a early copy of this on my Kindle, some of the formatting was off. I assume the chapters to be short. One of my favorite parts of this book was the podcast. It's the first time I've really seen this format used for a book, and I hope to see more like it in the future.

On a personal level, I felt for Molly's relationship with her brother. I appreciated the problem of vaping being addressed in this book as it was a problem last school year with our sixth graders. Honestly, this book addressed a lot from vaping, dress coding, speaking up for what is right, podcasts, figuring out your sexuality, and a trans girl shares her experience being dress coded near the end of the book. While I would like to incorporate this into a read aloud or book club, the beginning does mention budding breasts and whatnot, and I'm not sure that this would be appropriate? That's not to say I won't have this in my personal classroom library. I will for sure.

Molly Frost is an eighth grader in Connecticut. Her older brother, Danny, is quite frankly awful. Not only does he vape, but he’s actively introducing middle schoolers to vaping by selling them pods. And he’s mean to his sister and parents. So Molly concentrates on her friends, other girls on her lacrosse team. Until she sees a friend from elementary school be humiliated by the school principal over a dress code violation - wearing a tank top. This sets Molly on a quest for change. Not just for her and her friends but for future middle school girls.

This was a good book for young activists. I love how Molly and her classmates recognized inequality and unfairness in a policy and took steps to change the policy. I enjoyed the podcast sections of the book and found the guests' stories to be compelling and relatable. However, there were a large number of characters in this book and, at times, I had difficulty remembering all of them and their individual stories. There was a secondary plot occurring that focused on vaping, which I think is a really important topic to examine. I especially liked that, in this book, the effects of vaping on the user's entire family was a focus. I liked the different styles applied to various chapters- podcasts, lists, letters, etc. I do wish there was a bit more "showing" and less "telling." But, overall, this was an enjoyable book and a great example of how children (and really, anyone) can speak out about issues that are important to them and find ways to effect change.

For anyone who's ever had problems feeling comfortable in their own skin (and who hasn't?), connecting with Dress Coded will be easy. Even as a public middle school librarian, I found myself cheering for the girls in this book, ostracized because the clothing they are wearing to school puts a target on their back. I don't mean that they are wearing low cut, too short, too tight clothes to get attention. These are students who feel ashamed of their body every day because of staff looking to criticize them, drawing attention to the details that already make a middle school girl self-conscious. These girls take a stand, and I was taking a stand with them while I read. There is a definite standard we hold some students to more than others, and some students are equally invisible. Why should body type make a student feel singled-out? As an educator, this book made me stop and think about dress codes a little differently. It also made me think about the way we criticize students, our inner prejudices that we don't even realize exist, and how a few kind adults in their lives can bring about security and self-esteem. This is one I am happy to recommend!

An excellent read about female friendships and the power of speaking up. I loved Molly finding herself while fighting against a real injustice and dealing with serious family troubles. She's an excellent heroine. the other characters were just as wonderful and nuanced. It's also an incredibly inclusive story with characters of different races, abilities, and orientations. Most importantly, it's a story about standing up for yourself and your friends with integrity.