The Cool Code

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

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—but 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?

About the Author

Deirdre Langeland has authored everything from a Curious George picture book to a serious nonfiction book about nuclear disaster in Fukushima. 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. This is her graphic novel debut.Sarah Mai is an illustrator, cartoonist, and writer. 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. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This is her graphic novel debut.