Mandatory Reading for ALL Middle Schoolers!!!

This middle grade graphic novel was terrific from page 1 right through to page 228. The illustrations were crisp, colorful and they draw the reader into the story. I enjoyed the storyline it was a unique view on fitting in, learning to be yourself, self-confidence and just how to be a middle schooler. As readers we follow the main character, Zoey, as she transitions from home schooling to attending school in person starting off in middle school. Zoey is also working on programming an app to help her become “cool”.

I loved the valuable life lessons told in such a fun, though provoking way!! Can't say enough about how terrific this middle grade graphic novel is 😊

Grateful to have received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley & HarperCollins Children's Books, Clarion Books

This was a fun graphic novel about a girl trying to be cool. She creates an app to help her become popular. Sweet storyline and theme.

I really think middle grade readers will enjoy this story! I think they will be able to relate to the story. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review

The Cool Code is a sweet story of a young girl who is trying to fit in. Zoey has always been homeschooled, but she is heading to middle school a few weeks into the school year. She is worried about fitting in and creates an app to help her be cool. Zoey uses her coding to try to fit in but soon learns that being herself is the best way to make true friends. Middle grade readers will enjoy this book!

I recieved an eARC of this book, so this review may not match the final version. Thank you for the opportunity.

Zoey has been homeschooled all her life. When her parents decide she needs to go to middle school while they work on their new business, she decides to use her programming skills to help her fit in.

As a former homeschool parent, I often cringe at the way homeschooling, and particularly, homeschooler goes back to traditional school. The cool code avoids many of these. Zoey is less socially inept and more just not confident. She is intelligent, capable, and able to make friends on her own, as she discovers with Morgan and Daniel.

This is a sweet, quick read graphic novel that definitely deserves a place in school and classroom libraries. It would be a great book for reluctant readers, in particular.

The Cool Code is a graphic novel about Zoey, a 7th grade girl who is going from being homeschooled to attending a school. Since she is a bit nervous, she developed an app called the Cool Code. It is to help her fit in as she adjusts to being in middle school. The app, however, gives her ridiculous advice.

I struggled a bit with this novel. I couldn't connect with Zoey. At the beginning of the novel, she is nervous about attending school for the first time. However, when she gets there, we don't see that nervousness as much. She accepts ridiculous advice,. There were some stereotypes that came into play in this novel as well. I do think this book will have an audience, but I didn't connect with it.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Miigweetch to Netgalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, and Clarion Books for the DRC.

I adore middle-grade graphic novels and have read extensively in this genre. Raina Telgemeier and Kayla Miller are two of my favorites when it comes to this type of story, so when I saw them referenced in the blurb, I requested it immediately. I was not disappointed.

The art style is very clean, bright, and easy on the eyes. There is not a whole lot of character development before we get thrown into the crux of the story, which centers around a girl who has been homeschooled her entire life going to a brick-and-mortar school for the first time.

As an adult and educator I had some questions, most glaringly: why is this child starting school in the middle of the semester? Whose (terrible) idea was this? However, if you can get past that leap in logic, it’s an enjoyable tale.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was how Zoe’s app talks back to her, and when Zoe questions the effectiveness of the app’s suggestions, the app snaps, “You programmed me, didn’t you?” Zoe’s anxiety at starting a new school, for the very first time, is relatable. The story is straightforward and easy to follow. I (obviously!) recommend it to fans of Raina Telgemeier and Kayla Miller, as well as any student I see struggling with social anxiety. I would also recommend this book to readers interested in coding, computers, and social media.