Awards

• Commended for Stonewall Book Award (Children's) 2023

Overview

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.

Full Product Details

9781250866493

Table of Contents

Reviews

In the Key of Us is a touching and heartfelt story that rhythmically follows the ache and joy of first love and finding yourself. Lockington manages to hit all the right notes, breaking your heart and filling you with joy as she looks at grief, growing up, and the healing power of friendship. --Lisa Moore Ramee, author of A Good Kind of Trouble and Something to Say Warm and poetic, this gentle and emotional story of first love between two complicated and dynamic young girls completely captured my heart. --Jasmine Warga, Newbery Honor Award-winning author of Other Words For Home and The Shape of Thunder In the Key of Us gives voice to the rich inner lives of Black kids and celebrates their loves while holding space for their losses in equal measure. It is a joyous celebration of music and art, loneliness and togetherness, and what it means to grow up and find peace in the world and within yourself. A charming, life-affirming, queer band camp novel I never knew I needed. I'm thrilled that the world has it now. --Ashley Woodfolk, acclaimed author of The Beauty That Remains and When You Were Everything IN THE KEY OF US is a symphony of a novel. Andi and Zora each struggle with family and friendships, expectations and loss, but during their summer filled with music, they form a bond that helps them on their path to self-discovery and healing. Mariama Lockington has written a story that is complex, lyrical, and true--a story that will make your heart sing. --Rajani LaRocca, award-winning author of Midsummer's Mayhem, Red, White and Whole, and Much Ado about Baseball Lockington's lyrical writing is tender and masterful. IN THE KEY OF US captures the many ways growing up is hard, exhilarating, unpredictable, and beautiful. Here, there is no pretense that life is easy but there is promise that there can be second chances, healing, and so much love. --Renee Watson, New York Times Bestselling Author

In the Key of Us is a touching and heartfelt story that rhythmically follows the ache and joy of first love and finding yourself. Lockington manages to hit all the right notes, breaking your heart and filling you with joy as she looks at grief, growing up, and the healing power of friendship. --Lisa Moore Ramee, author of A Good Kind of Trouble and Something to Say Warm and poetic, this gentle and emotional story of first love between two complicated and dynamic young girls completely captured my heart. --Jasmine Warga, Newbery Honor Award-winning author of Other Words For Home and The Shape of Thunder In the Key of Us gives voice to the rich inner lives of Black kids and celebrates their loves while holding space for their losses in equal measure. It is a joyous celebration of music and art, loneliness and togetherness, and what it means to grow up and find peace in the world and within yourself. A charming, life-affirming, queer band camp novel I never knew I needed. I'm thrilled that the world has it now. --Ashley Woodfolk, acclaimed author of The Beauty That Remains and When You Were Everything IN THE KEY OF US is a symphony of a novel. Andi and Zora each struggle with family and friendships, expectations and loss, but during their summer filled with music, they form a bond that helps them on their path to self-discovery and healing. Mariama Lockington has written a story that is complex, lyrical, and true--a story that will make your heart sing. --Rajani LaRocca, award-winning author of Midsummer's Mayhem, Red, White and Whole, and Much Ado about Baseball Lockington's lyrical writing is tender and masterful. IN THE KEY OF US captures the many ways growing up is hard, exhilarating, unpredictable, and beautiful. Here, there is no pretense that life is easy but there is promise that there can be second chances, healing, and so much love. --Renee Watson, New York Times Bestselling Author

Author Information

Mariama J. Lockington is an adoptee, educator, and Schneider Family Book Award and Stonewall Honor-winning author. She has been telling stories and making her own books since the second grade, when she wore short-alls and flower leggings every day to school. She is the critically acclaimed author of For Black Girls Like Me, In the Key of Us, and Forever Is Now, as well as a poetry chapbook The Lucky Daughter. Mariama holds a Masters in Education from Lesley University and Masters in Fine Arts in Poetry from San Francisco State University. She lives in Lexington, KY with her partner and dapple haired dachshund, Henry. mariamajlockington.com

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