Emmy in the Key of Code

Emmy has just moved to San Francisco from Wisconsin and feels like an outsider at her new middle school. The daughter of two musicians, she struggles to live up to their musical talents while discovering her own identity. In her computer science class, Emmy begins learning Java programming and finds unexpected connections between code and music. She forms a friendship with Abigail, another student in the class, while navigating the complexities of middle school social dynamics. The novel is written in verse, incorporating elements of both music and computer programming in its structure and language. The format mirrors Emmy's journey as she combines these different languages - music, code, and poetry - to express herself. This story explores themes of belonging, self-discovery, and the intersection of art and technology. Through Emmy's experiences, the book challenges assumptions about where creativity can be found and how it can be expressed.

Readers connect with the novel's authentic portrayal of middle school struggles and learning to code. The verse format receives consistent mentions for making programming concepts accessible and engaging. Liked: - Integration of music and coding themes - Realistic depiction of friendship dynamics - Strong female protagonist in STEM - Creative use of spacing and formatting to represent code - Appeals to both tech-savvy and non-technical readers Disliked: - Some found the verse style difficult to follow - Programming concepts could overwhelm readers unfamiliar with coding - Pacing feels slow in middle sections - Parent characters lack depth Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (100+ ratings) Kirkus Reviews: Starred Review Reader quote: "The way coding terms are woven into poetry is genius - helps kids understand programming isn't just about computers." - Goodreads reviewer Common reader recommendation: Best for ages 10-14, especially students interested in music or beginning programming.

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🎵 Like Emmy's story, author Aimee Lucido blends her own experiences in coding and music - she studied Computer Science at UC Berkeley while also performing in musicals and playing piano. 💻 The book is written in a unique verse format that mirrors both musical notation and coding syntax, creating a hybrid style that reflects Emmy's journey of discovery. 🎹 Many of the coding concepts in the book are explained through musical metaphors - for example, comparing variables in programming to musical notes that can change while keeping their essential identity. 👩‍💻 The book was partly inspired by organizations like Girls Who Code, which aims to close the gender gap in technology fields - a theme that runs throughout Emmy's story. 🏆 Emmy in the Key of Code won the 2020 Northern California Book Award for Children's Literature and was named a 2020 Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts by NCTE.