Books Beginners Welcome  by Cindy Baldwin (Author)

"Beginners Welcome" by Cindy Baldwin is a middle-grade novel centered on Annie Lee, a young girl grappling with the recent loss of her father. Since his death, Annie Lee feels isolated and invisible, struggling with grief while her mother works long hours to make ends meet. Annie Lee’s friends have drifted away, leaving her lonely until she meets Mitch, a confident new friend who reaches out to her despite Annie's reluctance to let anyone close.

Annie Lee also finds hope and healing through music when she begins piano lessons with Ray, an elderly pianist whose magic on the keys rekindles her connection to her late father, who loved music deeply but encouraged her to persevere in learning piano before he passed away. When Ray suddenly goes missing, Annie Lee faces a difficult choice between maintaining her new friendships or risking losing them.