Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
Author Biography:
Jordan Sonnenblick attended amazing schools in New York City. Then he went to an incredible Ivy League university and studied very, very hard there. However, due to his careful and well-planned course selection strategies, he emerged in 1991 with a fancy-looking diploma and a breathtaking lack of real-world skills or employability. Mr. Sonnenblick always wanted to be a writer, too, so one day in 2003 he started in on the book that became Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie. Mr. Sonnenblick lives in Bethlehem, PA with the most supportive wife and lovable children he could ever imagine. Plus a lot of drums and guitars in the basement. Information retrieved from Amazon.com
Published by: Scholastic Paperbacks
ISBN: 0439755204
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: Grades 6-9
Reader’s Annotation:
Steven Alper is moving through eighth grade at a pretty good clip. His grades are decent, he’s an accomplished drummer, and his school drama is at a minimum. Life seems on track until his brother – whom he equally loves and is annoyed by – is diagnosed with leukemia. As his parents scramble to treat him they go further into debt and gradually become more distant from Steven. As everyone in school learns of his brother’s plight, he becomes stressed by the unwanted infamy. Steven also has to do his best to be strong for his family and support them in their time of need, as well as being strong for himself.
Plot Summary:
13-year-old Steven has been saddled with the kind of stress no teen of his age should have to face. With his brother Jeffery diagnosed with leukemia, his life has suddenly been thrown into upheaval where nothing seems certain. His grades slip, Jeffery is no longer his energetic self, and his parents frequently fight and pay little attention to him.
Still, Steven does the best he can given the situation. He tries to bring is grades up, tends to Jeffery when he wants to play for the few minutes that he can, and tries to ignore the constant take out and tv dinners he has to choke down. At times he also steps up and comforts his family members, placing an additional burden upon himself.
But with the uncertainty of Jeffery’s condition, the mounting health care bills, and ever-rising stress, Steven can only take so much before he breaks down. With no end in sight, and a happy ending seeming far from likely, Steven doesn’t know what else he can do for his family. Through his friends, however, Steven does learn of a way that he can use his talents to perhaps alleviate part of their burdens.
Critical Evaluation:
Writing off Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie as just another “sick lit” novel would do it an incredible service. Sonnenblick does an excellent job developing Steven and his families’ characters, making their struggles and reactions to each bit of good and bad news believable. Each one has their own internal battles, and each of them hurt each other as nearly any other real family would. Steven’s character is especially believable as he takes on the role of the good, responsible son that tries to man up for his family – but ultimately fails at times because he is unprepared for the burdens associated with that role.
Despite the heavy topic of cancer and all of the pain involved, there is humor in the book that breaks the tension from time to time. But the book’s true strength is in the character development, which can draw readers in and make them genuinely care for their well-being.
Curriculum Ties:
Challenge Issues:
None
Defensive Maneuvers:
n/a
Book Talk Ideas:
Have you ever felt like everything in your life is falling apart around you? And, despite that, you seem to be the only person that can hold it together? This is exactly what Steven Alper is going through when his brother is diagnosed with cancer.
Why This Book?
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie can easily become a book that heals, helping others who are struggling through the pain of cancer and showing that their troubles, pain, and inter-family fighting is not uncommon. The book also presents believable characters that readers can aspire to be, and shows them that there can be light at the end of the tunnel.
Jordan Sonnenblick attended amazing schools in New York City. Then he went to an incredible Ivy League university and studied very, very hard there. However, due to his careful and well-planned course selection strategies, he emerged in 1991 with a fancy-looking diploma and a breathtaking lack of real-world skills or employability. Mr. Sonnenblick always wanted to be a writer, too, so one day in 2003 he started in on the book that became Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie. Mr. Sonnenblick lives in Bethlehem, PA with the most supportive wife and lovable children he could ever imagine. Plus a lot of drums and guitars in the basement. Information retrieved from Amazon.com
Published by: Scholastic Paperbacks
ISBN: 0439755204
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: Grades 6-9
Reader’s Annotation:
Steven Alper is moving through eighth grade at a pretty good clip. His grades are decent, he’s an accomplished drummer, and his school drama is at a minimum. Life seems on track until his brother – whom he equally loves and is annoyed by – is diagnosed with leukemia. As his parents scramble to treat him they go further into debt and gradually become more distant from Steven. As everyone in school learns of his brother’s plight, he becomes stressed by the unwanted infamy. Steven also has to do his best to be strong for his family and support them in their time of need, as well as being strong for himself.
Plot Summary:
13-year-old Steven has been saddled with the kind of stress no teen of his age should have to face. With his brother Jeffery diagnosed with leukemia, his life has suddenly been thrown into upheaval where nothing seems certain. His grades slip, Jeffery is no longer his energetic self, and his parents frequently fight and pay little attention to him.
Still, Steven does the best he can given the situation. He tries to bring is grades up, tends to Jeffery when he wants to play for the few minutes that he can, and tries to ignore the constant take out and tv dinners he has to choke down. At times he also steps up and comforts his family members, placing an additional burden upon himself.
But with the uncertainty of Jeffery’s condition, the mounting health care bills, and ever-rising stress, Steven can only take so much before he breaks down. With no end in sight, and a happy ending seeming far from likely, Steven doesn’t know what else he can do for his family. Through his friends, however, Steven does learn of a way that he can use his talents to perhaps alleviate part of their burdens.
Critical Evaluation:
Writing off Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie as just another “sick lit” novel would do it an incredible service. Sonnenblick does an excellent job developing Steven and his families’ characters, making their struggles and reactions to each bit of good and bad news believable. Each one has their own internal battles, and each of them hurt each other as nearly any other real family would. Steven’s character is especially believable as he takes on the role of the good, responsible son that tries to man up for his family – but ultimately fails at times because he is unprepared for the burdens associated with that role.
Despite the heavy topic of cancer and all of the pain involved, there is humor in the book that breaks the tension from time to time. But the book’s true strength is in the character development, which can draw readers in and make them genuinely care for their well-being.
Curriculum Ties:
- Cancer
- Coping with disaster
- Responsibility
Challenge Issues:
None
Defensive Maneuvers:
n/a
Book Talk Ideas:
Have you ever felt like everything in your life is falling apart around you? And, despite that, you seem to be the only person that can hold it together? This is exactly what Steven Alper is going through when his brother is diagnosed with cancer.
Why This Book?
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie can easily become a book that heals, helping others who are struggling through the pain of cancer and showing that their troubles, pain, and inter-family fighting is not uncommon. The book also presents believable characters that readers can aspire to be, and shows them that there can be light at the end of the tunnel.