Drums, Girls, & Dangerous Pie

Drums, Girls, & Dangerous Pie
by Jordan Sonnenblick

Steven's life seems pretty typical for a middle school student; his days are filled with school, drums, his lifelong crush on Renee, and his annoying little brother. All of that changes when he finds out that his brother has been diagnosed with cancer. Over the course of his 8th grade year, Steven learns things about life that an eighth grader should not have to know. He becomes a protector of his brother and a shoulder to lean on for his weary mother, while still trying to maintain his everyday life. In doing all of that, he learns what life is really about.

Even though the book's plot is burdened with Jeffrey's sickness, there are some lighter subplots, like Steven's interest in and talent for playing the drums. The reader never loses the voice of the narrator, which is a true depiction of a middle school boy. This book is so laugh-out-loud funny that sometimes it's easy to forget that the narrator's brother has been diagnosed with leukemia.

A must read for everyone!

-Ms. Fields