Review by Booklist Review
Moss' latest middle-grade novel continues the story begun in Talia's Codebook for Mathletes (2023), in which Talia writes down her thoughts and mixed emotions about attending middle school, while working hard to keep her place on the math team despite her insecurities about her gift for mathematics. The second book offers a sensitive portrayal of Talia and her classmates. She's trying hard to live by her ideals while pleasing her parents and keeping her friends. Frequent black-and-white drawings, representing Talia's illustrations in her "codebook," have a fresh look and a realistic vibe. While Talia resents parental pressure to maintain high grades and keep her leadership role among the Mathletes, she's also working hard to succeed in both realms, though the prolonged effort takes its toll. A prolific writer and illustrator for children, Moss may be remembered mainly for creating the innovative Amelia's Notebook series, which also featured a girl who kept a self-illustrated diary of her ideas, experiences, and reflections, though today's young readers may find the Talia's Codebook series equally engaging and, perhaps, more timely.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
This sequel to Talia's Codebook for Mathletes finds math- and art-loving Talia on a coed math team led by the intimidating Leticia. In her notebook, Talia writes and doodles about her experiences preparing for competition and about school in general, trying to crack the codes that surround her (from what your hair says about you to what makes a good leader). Her observations, accompanied by lively mixed-media cartoons, will appeal to STEM-loving readers similarly perplexed by the mysteries of middle school. (c) Copyright 2025. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Talia tries to crack the code to the complexities of sixth grade. Talia Zargari loves math, writing, and drawing. She uses her codebook--filled with her observations, deductions, and artwork on quad-ruled pages--to decipher and navigate the unspoken rules of middle school. Talia is happy to still be best friends with Dash after other kids' teasing about dating puts distance between them. She's also thriving on the Chimeras, the newly formed co-ed math team, led by the smart and confident Leticia. The all-girls math team won a competition, and Talia hopes the boys will now treat them with more respect. Art teacher Mr. Wayne shows Talia and her friends connections between math and art, intertwining her two passions. But despite her successes, Talia's parents put excessive pressure on her to succeed so as not to jeopardize her future college applications--and they continue to bring up a mistake she made in her last math competition. Fortunately, Talia learns that people are more complex than they initially appear: She once saw Leticia as effortlessly cool and smart but later learns that they share a lot of the same concerns, and the girls forge a bond. Working toward their next competition shows the math team members that practice pays off and that there are lots of different ways to lead. Talia has tan skin and curly black hair, Dash and Leticia read Black, and background characters mainly present white. Entertaining and affirming.(Illustrated fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
