Module 4 - Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie

Book Cover Image

Book Summary

8th grade is tough enough without your whole world being turned upside down. And that is exactly what happened to Steven, a skinny geeky boy who loved to bang the drums. Steven has a hard time focusing on school when his little brother is diagnosed with cancer. His mother and brother are shuttling back and forth between home and the hospital for treatments. His dad is extra stressed about finances. His only refuge is his drum set. He practices extra long and hard to avoid thinking about all that is going on. The good news is that he has gotten really good. If only he was able to show everyone at the big concert.

Written by Jordan Sonnenblick

APA Reference of Book

Sonnenblick, J. (2005). Drums, girls & dangerous pie. New York, NY: Scholastic.

Impressions

This is a great realistic fiction book for middle school aged boys or girls. Stephen is easy to relate to for many students since he is a little geeky and doesn't always deal well with girls. It is nice to see a book that allows all characters to be human. Both Stephen and his parents make mistakes along their journey, but they are able to get passed them. Sonnenblick shows how Stephen's character evolves throughout the story by sharing not only character conversations, but also Stephen's thoughts. Readers are drawn into his life and want to know if he will be able to dig himself out of trouble without burdening his parents with his issues. 

Professional Review

Gr 6-9-- 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. Steven's frequent faux pas seem belabored early in the book, but they do eventually work to show him to be an admirable fellow who grows in his ability to deal with others, including Renee and Annette, the school counselor, his parents, and Jeff. The book does not miss a single emotional beat, taking every opportunity to demonstrate that Lurlene McDaniel has no stranglehold on jerking tears as Steven details the progress of leukemia's inexorable attack. If the young characters sometimes speak beyond their years and if Steven's wise-ass voice is initially annoying, it is also fresh, energetic, and consistent, becoming more likable as the novel progresses. One stylistic device seemed unnecessary and distracting: characters' speech is indicated by italics, while quotation marks are used to set off Steven's inner thoughts and for special emphasis.

Shoemaker, J. (2004, Oct). Drums, girls & dangerous pie. School Library Journal, 50(10), 178.

Library Uses

This is a great resource for students who have a sibling battling cancer. It can also be used to show students how to be there for others even when times are difficult.