
Age rating and parents' guide:Girls Who Code: The Friendship Code
by Stacia Deutsch
Ages 9–11
Girls Who Code: The Friendship Code by Stacia Deutsch is best for children aged 9–11. It has no violence, nothing scary, no romance and no bad language.
Lucy is eager to start middle school and join the new coding club. Instead of working solo right away, she is grouped with three very different girls who struggle to connect. Encourages young readers to reflect on belonging and being a good friend.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- None
- Scary moments
- None
- Romance
- None
- Bad language
- None
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Early chapter book
- Part of the Girls Who Code series
- Easy to get into from the first page
- Plenty of illustrations
- Emotionally light
- A good pick for reluctant readers
Great for kids who like
- Mystery & Detective
- Science
- Robots & inventions
Reading mood
- Mysterious
Good to talk about
- Friendship
- Science
Books like Girls Who Code: The Friendship Code
Similar stories for the same ages, none more intense than this one should be for its youngest readers.

Ages 8–12
The Magic of the Lost Temple
by Sudha Murty
While spending her summer vacation at her grandparents' home in a Karnataka village, city girl Nooni falls in love with rural life. She learns to cycle, helps around the house, and explores the nearby forests.

Ages 6–14
The Mysteries of Harris Burdick
by Chris Van Allsburg
This unique book presents fourteen haunting black-and-white drawings, each accompanied only by a title and a single tantalising caption. From a glowing lump under a rug to a nun soaring in a flying chair, every page offers a puzzle with no explanation provided. The eerie, cinematic tone sparks deep curiosity, inviting readers of all ages to invent their own narratives. Children love the creative freedom and the delightfully unsettling puzzles hidden within each scene.

Ages 9–11
The Secret Lake
by Karen Inglis
When Stella and her younger brother Tom move to a new home in London, they notice their neighbour's dog frequently disappears and returns soaking wet. Following him through a hidden tunnel, they discover a secret lake that takes them nearly a century back in time to the early 1900s. Encourages children to share their own family stories and feelings.

Ages 9–11
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library
by Chris Grabenstein
When game lover Kyle Keeley wins an invitation to spend the night in his town's brand-new public library, he expects a fun sleepover with games and holographic wonders. Encourages young readers to reflect on belonging and being a good friend.

Ages 9–11
Gangsta Granny
by David Walliams
Ben dreads staying with his cabbage-obsessed grandmother every Friday evening, convinced she is the most boring person alive. Everything changes when he stumbles upon a tin full of diamonds and discovers she is actually an international jewel thief with eyes on the Crown Jewels. Invites older readers to reflect on compassion, courage, and resilience.

Ages 9–11
Sindhu and Jeet's Detective Agency
by Chitra Soundar
Join quick-thinking Sindhu and her younger brother Jeet as they solve everyday puzzles and neighborhood mysteries. Operating from their base in India, the siblings rely on sharp observation, logical reasoning, and close cooperation to crack each case. Keeps curiosity growing as readers piece together the clues.
A good book is the start. A mentor makes it stick.
In a free 1:1 session, a trained Bookstaken mentor reads with your child, asks what they think and helps the reading habit last.