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In the Key of Us



by
Mariama J. Lockington

Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
Macmillan
Imprint
Farrar, Straus & Giroux
ISBN
9780374314101
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
Discrimination: Racial Insensitivity/Racism , Discrimination: Sexuality , Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco: Reference or Discussion , Language: Infrequent Use , Language: Mild Language , Sexual Content: Mild Sexual Content/Themes , Violence: Self-Harm
$22.18   $18.48
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QTY

JLG Category

Advanced Readers

From the author of For Black Girls Like Me, which received five starred reviews and multiple accolades, comes a middle-grade novel about first love, loss, and letting go.

In Grand Rapids, Michigan, Andi is grappling with grief following the death of her mother. Zora is exhausted by trying to please her success-oriented parents. Both feel very much alone. Until a summer music camp brings them together.

The only two Black girls at camp in a sea of white children, Andi and Zora slowly begin to connect and reveal their deepest fears and dreams. While Andi is a natural on trumpet, Zora doesn't know if she wants to be a floutist since she also loves to dance.

As Andi and Zora struggle to figure out who they really are, they may just come to realize what they really need: each other.

Author’s note, with resources.

POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
Discrimination: Racial Insensitivity/Racism , Discrimination: Sexuality , Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco: Reference or Discussion , Language: Infrequent Use , Language: Mild Language , Sexual Content: Mild Sexual Content/Themes , Violence: Self-Harm

Details

Format

Print

Page Count

368

Trim Size

8 1/2" x 5 1/2"

Dewey

F

AR

5: points 11

Lexile

790L

Genre

Fic

Scholastic Reading Counts

0

JLG Release

Sep 2022

Book Genres

Realistic Fiction

Topics

African Americans. Black people. Anxiety disorders. Self-destructive behavior. Music camps. Identity (psychology). Grief and bereavement. Friendship. Lesbians. Musicians. LGBTQ.

Standard MARC Records

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Cover Art

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Praise & Reviews

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-With lyricism and emotional honesty, Lockington tells the story of two girls who find hope and healing in each other at Harmony Music Camp. Andi has lost her "soul sound" on the trumpet ever since her mother, a creative and at times erratic force, died in a tragic accident. Now living with her much more pragmatic aunt and uncle, Andi can't help but see a summer away at camp as a convenient method to get her out of the way in preparation for the arrival of their new baby. Zora would much rather be dancing, but her family has mapped a very narrow path for her as a flutist, and she is beginning to break under her mother's constant expectation of perfection. Although confident and sparkly on the outside, Zora experiences intense anxiety that she releases through self-harm. As two of the only Black kids at camp, Andi and Zora are frequently thrown together by students and staff who ignorantly assume that they will automatically connect. But as they open up to each other about their fears, losses, and dreams, they actually begin to develop a real friendship, and maybe more. Andi and Zora share the narration, and each section begins with a beautiful poem written in the voice of the camp itself, which lends a warm, comforting atmosphere to the setting. VERDICT Navigating sensitive topics like body image, mental health, racism, grief, and healthy relationships with a gentle hand, this moving coming-of-age story is perfect for tweens and young teens.-Catherine Cote

Praise & Reviews

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-With lyricism and emotional honesty, Lockington tells the story of two girls who find hope and healing in each other at Harmony Music Camp. Andi has lost her "soul sound" on the trumpet ever since her mother, a creative and at times erratic force, died in a tragic accident. Now living with her much more pragmatic aunt and uncle, Andi can't help but see a summer away at camp as a convenient method to get her out of the way in preparation for the arrival of their new baby. Zora would much rather be dancing, but her family has mapped a very narrow path for her as a flutist, and she is beginning to break under her mother's constant expectation of perfection. Although confident and sparkly on the outside, Zora experiences intense anxiety that she releases through self-harm. As two of the only Black kids at camp, Andi and Zora are frequently thrown together by students and staff who ignorantly assume that they will automatically connect. But as they open up to each other about their fears, losses, and dreams, they actually begin to develop a real friendship, and maybe more. Andi and Zora share the narration, and each section begins with a beautiful poem written in the voice of the camp itself, which lends a warm, comforting atmosphere to the setting. VERDICT Navigating sensitive topics like body image, mental health, racism, grief, and healthy relationships with a gentle hand, this moving coming-of-age story is perfect for tweens and young teens.-Catherine Cote

Grades 6-9
Advanced Readers
For Grades 6-9

Your pre-teen and teen readers won't be able to get enough of these selections. The 12 books here are a bit longer than our B category titles, with more challenging storylines and a wealth of thought-provoking nonfiction.

12 books per Year
$243.96 per Year
Interests
Clean Books,Diversity,Fiction,High Interest/Reluctant Reader,Struggling Readers,Novels,Funny/Humorous,Realistic Fiction
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Grades 6-9
Advanced Readers
12 books per Year
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