Emmy in the Key of Code

In this innovative middle grade novel, coding and music take center stage as new girl Emmy tries to find her place in a new school. Perfect for fans of the Girls Who Code series and The Crossover.

In a new city, at a new school, twelve-year-old Emmy has never felt more out of tune.

Things start to look up when she takes her first coding class, unexpectedly connecting with the material—and Abigail, a new friend—through a shared language: music. But when Emmy gets bad news about their computer teacher, and finds out Abigail isn’t being entirely honest about their friendship, she feels like her new life is screeching to a halt.

Despite these obstacles, Emmy is determined to prove one thing: that, for the first time ever, she isn’t a wrong note, but a musician in the world’s most beautiful symphony.

Shortlisted for a Trinity Schools Book Award (TSBA) 2023

This story of friendship, code, and finding your own rhythm sings with heart and hope.

Girls in STEM: Emmy discovers the logic of computer science feels just like the beauty of music, finding a new way to express herself. A Complicated Friendship: When Emmy meets Abigail in coding class, she thinks she’s found her first real friend—but Abigail is keeping secrets of her own. Coding for Kids: Told with the rhythm and structure of a song, this book blends the language of Java with heartfelt poetry, making complex ideas accessible and exciting. Finding Your Place: A powerful story for any reader who has ever felt like a "wrong note," showing that everyone has their own unique symphony to create.