Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie in Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge

Aug 20, 2009 Brandi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: teen, favorites, audiobooks

In this book, a 2008 Rebecca Caudill nominee, author Jordan Sonnenblick tackles a subject that is overlooked by many authors. This book tells the story of 13-year-old Steven and the troubles he endures when his five-year-old brother Jeffrey is diagnosed with leukemia.

Steven has two passions in life: playing the drums and Rene Albert. Suddenly his world is turned upside down when his brother falls down and gets a nose bleed. Steven is forced to decide whether or not to tell his friends and teache ...more

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Mar 15, 2015 Gayle rated it really liked it · review of another edition

If I had known the subject matter of this, I most likely would not have read this (for personal reasons)....but I'm SO VERY glad I did. The librarian highly rec'd this to me when I told her some YA books are among my all time favorites; plus this author is local (to us). Told from the perspective of the older brother, his point of view hits hard, but true. ...more

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Feb 13, 2012 Barb Novak rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, realistic-fiction

I used this as a read aloud for eighth grade struggling readers. They laughed at some parts - especially when Steven talked about his crush on Renee - but were, overall, bored with the book.

I enjoyed Sonnenblick's writing. He captured the thoughts of a middle school kid in an authentic and funny way.

There is a strong connection to music throughout the book. Steven is a talented percussionist and plays in his school's jazz band. There are many allusions to specific jazz songs. ...more

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