When I was a lot younger my summers revolved around sleepover camp. Free of school and church and family roles (the normal sibling of a severely handicapped sister) and supervised by counselors not all that much older I was living my best life those precious weeks. YA readers with similar experiences and those who are fascinated by summer camp are in for a real treat if they get their hands on Mariama J. Lockington's In the Key of You.
Harmony Music Camp is an elite music camp, taking only the creme de la creme of its young aspirants. While most of the campers' time is taken up with rehearsals and rehearsal adjacent activities there is also more traditional stuff like swimming and campfires. There's the parent free communal cabin life. And it's a primarily white institution. The two narrators whose voices alternate are Black Girls struggling with difficult family situations.
Andi's beloved artist mother has recently died. She had to move in with her aunt and uncle. They're nice but it just isn't the same thing. And now her aunt is expecting a baby. Not to mention Andi's response to ongoing school bullying got her suspended at the end of seventh grade.
Zora is the only child of two Black professionals. There's enormous pressure on her to be not only good, but the best. They've made her drop all other interests to completely focus on flute. She's terrified of disappointing them. Not to mention she's more interested in dance.
Could these two very different girls help each other grow in self awareness and agency…
…not to mention kindle a summer romance?
On a purrrsonal note, I can't believe July 4 is almost upon us. When the kids were living at home we used to watch the parade in Bangor, attend the cookout at the in-laws, and wrap the day up by watching the Bangor fireworks. The fireworks were my favorite part of the day. I know Eugene and I are going to the cookout. But that's probably all. Sigh.
A great big shout out goes out to you with best wishes for a great July 4th.
Jules Hathaway ju
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