First time novelist Jordan Sonnenblick’s Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie strikes a chord–not some painful attempt at a note, but a beautiful beat that’s truly melodic. He tells the story of Steven, a regular 13 year old eighth grader, a real average Joe. Things quickly become anything but average when Steven’s little brother becomes sick with cancer. Told in first person format, the reader almost feels an intruder taking a peek at a young man’s journal as he tells every heart-wrenching detail of his life. A wonderful book for young readers or even those who are cough, cough…a little older in years, you’ll be impressed that a book told from the perspective of a 13 year old boy can be so thought-provokingly beautiful, while still being light-hearted and funny. No idea how Sonnenblick, who was inspired by one of his young student’s experience dealing with her younger brother’s diagnosis of cancer, wrote this novel in just 12 weeks. 12 weeks to construct an amazing novel–it’s completely insane! A quick-witted truthful account of what it’s like to deal with life while dealing with a sibling who is battling cancer, Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie doesn’t miss a beat. Hungry for more Jordan Sonnenblick’s Pie? Don’t fret, the story continues in the sequel After Ever After.
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Scholastic
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: 18 religious exclamations.
Violence/Gore: Non-life threatening injury occurs when character falls hitting head, nose bleeds heavily; a few mentions of medical procedures, needles, and blood work; characters has angry violent thoughts; character has disturbing nightmares; character falls down stairs breaking arm; 2 comical scenes where character has an accident and bites the inside of his cheek, some blood mentioned; character passes away.
Sex/Nudity: A few mentions of teenage girl wearing tight revealing clothing and teenage boy(s) admiring her body; married couple kisses; teen girl gives teen boy a kiss on cheek; teen boy and teen girl hold hands and hug.
Mature Subject Matter:
Mental and physical health, cancer, debt/economic crisis, death of friend.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
References to medical drugs such as chemotherapy, steroids, and antibiotics.
