Leah and the 0% Match: The Algorithm of Friendship

Leah's best friend Maya just moved to Texas, and recess has become the loneliest part of the day. Her "Friendship Stats" are at zero, and the stars she used to map with her telescope look different when you're the only one looking at them.

Then her mother shows her the Bestie-Blaster, a new school app that promises to use 1,000 data points to find her perfect match. Leah inputs her favorite things-astronomy, soccer, mangoes with chili powder-and the algorithm delivers: 99.8% compatibility wi...