Navigating new friendships can be tough, as every middle schooler knows. Yet in these graphic novels, sharing a hobby or an extracurricular activity proves a surefire way to bring kindred spirits together.

Galligan, Gale. Freestyle. illus. by Gale Galligan. 272p. Scholastic/Graphix. Oct. 2022. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9781338045819. pap. $12.99. ISBN 9781338045802.
Gr 5 Up–Galligan, already a cartooning sensation thanks to their emotionally nuanced, endlessly entertaining work on Ann M. ­Martin’s “Baby-Sitters Club” graphic ­adaptations, brings that same gleeful ­energy to their first original graphic novel. A commitment to representing the joys and ­ultra-specific struggles of adolescence shines through in this story about break dancing, bad grades, and yo-yo masters. The main story is that of Cory, a so-so student who’s part of a high-achieving dance team. When it becomes clear that his grades are tanking, his dance dreams are put on hold, and he’s paired up with Sunna, a quiet, overlooked classmate, for tutoring. Initially resistant, he discovers that she has her own avocation—the yo-yo—and begins to take an interest in her passion, too. As the story moves through family expectations, middle school social negotiations, and questions of doing your best versus doing what you love, Galligan’s manga-influenced visual language for characters’ emotions and a brightly colored urban universe mean each moment resonates without dragging the story down. It doesn’t hurt that in dancing and yo-yo, someone is always on the move. Galligan’s diverse cast includes Cory, coded as Filipino, and Sunna, who wears a hijab, and depicts a mixed-gender friend group free from romantic entanglements, which is a breath of fresh air. VERDICT A visually kinetic, emotionally complex story of finding a sense of self while navigating relationships and expectations. Fun and full of heart.–Emilia Packard

Langeland, Deirdre. The Cool Code. illus. by ­Sarah Mai. 224p. HarperCollins/Clarion. Nov. 2022. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9780358549321. pap. $13.99. ISBN 9780358549314.
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 and 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