88 pages 2 hours read

Jordan Sonnenblick

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2004

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick, thirteen-year-old Steven Alper narrates how his life changes when his five-year-old brother, Jeffrey, is diagnosed with leukemia. Steven struggles with school, emotions, and responsibilities but finds solace in drumming. He hides his pain until friends and schoolwork force him to face reality, shifting his focus to supporting Jeffrey and navigating their family's new challenges.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Jordan Sonnenblick's Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie offers a heartwarming yet realistic portrayal of adolescent life challenged by a sibling's illness. Readers praise its emotional depth, humor, and relatable protagonist. Some critique it for occasional predictability, but overall, it effectively balances serious themes with engaging storytelling.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie?

Readers who relish heartfelt, coming-of-age tales akin to Wonder by R.J. Palacio or My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult will be drawn to Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick. This novel, with its blend of humor and pathos, appeals to those who appreciate emotional depth and family dynamics in youthful narratives.

RecommendedReading Age

12-15years

Lexile Level

940L

Book Details

Themes

Relationships: Family

Genre

Realistic Fiction

Children's Literature

Education

Topics

Education

Music