Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Sonnenblick, Jordan. 2005. Drums, girls and dangerous pie. Scholastic Press: New York. ISBN 0439755190

Steven Alper is a typical eighth grader. He and his friend Annette are the only two middle school students in the All City High School Band. Other than his drumming talents, Steven is the ordinary teen next door. His life changes suddenly when his annoying and adoring little brother Jeffery is diagnosed with cancer. Learning that his five-year-old brother has leukemia changes Steven’s predictable family and school life. Steven feels his parents have placed all their time and energy into Jeffery’s needs and have emotionally abandoned him as their child. With the help of his friend Annette and his school crush and neighbor Renee, Steven begins to deal with his brother’s illness and his own selfishness.

This novel deals with strong issues. Cancer, parent and family stresses due to medical bills and the needs of both ill and healthy children are all present in this one beautifully written novel. This novel is recommended reading for middle school students. High school students may find this book tame and not as engrossing or detailed as a young adult novel can sometimes be dealing with these types of issues.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S):

Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: October 01, 2004

“On stage for his eighth-grade graduation, Steven recalls the past school year during which his five-year-old brother, Jeffrey, was diagnosed with and treated for leukemia. Steven is an avid drummer, journal writer, and generally a good student. But the pressures of dealing with Jeff's illness stresses his entire family as his school-teacher mom takes a leave to care for him, Dad withdraws, and Steven stops doing homework. Renee Albert is the object of his lust, while Annette, the piano player in jazz band, gradually becomes beautiful in his eyes.”

Review from BOOKLIST: September 15, 2005

“A story that could have morphed into melodrama is saved by reality, rawness, and the wit Sonnenblick infuses into Steven's first-person voice. The recriminations, cares, and nightmares that come with a cancer diagnosis are all here, underscored by vomiting, white blood cell counts, and chemotherapy ports. Yet, this is also about regrouping, solidarity, love, and hope. Most important for a middle-grade audience, Sonneblick shows that even in the midst of tragedy, life goes on, love can flower, and the one thing you can always change is yourself.”