  | In the key of us Author: Lockington, Mariama | |
| Price: $22.38 | ||
Summary:
While twelve-year-old Andi has suffered from anxiety attacks ever since her mother died ten months ago, Zora starts hurting herself whenever she feels out of control; they are both at Camp Harmony, an elite summer music camp, trying to deal with their problems and also the stress of competition--but as the summer passes they find themselves increasingly drawn to each other, and maybe not just as friends.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 5.00 Points: 11.0 Quiz: 516663 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (03/01/22)
School Library Journal (+) (05/01/22)
Booklist (03/15/22)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (+) (00/04/22)
The Hornbook (00/05/22)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 05/01/2022 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 - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 03/15/2022 Andi’s mother was an artist, and she encouraged Andi’s passion for music. For years, it was just Andi and her mother against the world. But everything changed for Andi when her mother died and she was left to go live with her uptight aunt and uncle in a world that wouldn’t accept her. Still grappling with grief, Andi decides to go to Harmony Music Camp for the summer. It is here among the majority white faces that she meets Zora, a girl who helps her heal and grow in ways she didn’t think was possible. Lockington’s novel takes readers on a breathtaking, lyrical journey of the complexities of Black girlhood in a story about music, family, and recovery from loss. She weaves a tale that is both brutally honest and endearing, exposing the sincere flaws of her main characters in such a way that makes readers weep for each misstep and rejoice with each measure of success. A strong choice for collections where character-driven coming-of-age stories are popular. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.
