Module 2: Realism, Romance and Censorship
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sonnenblick, Jordan. 2006. DRUMS, GIRLS & DANGEROUS PIE. New York, NY. Scholastic. 0439755204
2. SUMMARY
Steven Alper lives a typical 8th grader’s life. School is a necessary evil, he rocks the drums, two girls in his school have sparked his interest and he has the most annoying 5 year old brother. His life is typical until October, and Steven wishes the 7th had never rolled around. Jeffrey, Stevens little brother, gets a nosebleed that doesn’t stop. After being rushed to the emergency room it is discovered that Jeffrey has a form of cancer known as Leukemia.
Steven’s ordinary life turns out of the ordinary as he deals with his brother’s illness, the financial strain it has on his parents, slipping grades and,of course, middle school girls. Suddenly the family’s focus becomes all about Jeffrey while Steven is often left to fend for himself and learns about growing up one life lesson at a time.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The author, Jordan Sonnenblick does an outstanding job mixing the humor of a 13 year old boy with the care and grace of a heavy-hearted topic like cancer, and develops a humorous and honest book that allows the reader to look into the struggles an everyday family faces when dealing with a life threatening disease.
"The Most annoying thing in the world is...my little brother, " Steven writes as his response to his English classes writing prompt. What Steven learns throughout the story he tells is that he and Jeffrey are bonded together by more than just blood, as love and compassion develop throughout this book.
Readers will find this story realistic, funny and touching as the protagonist narrates his own story with a sense of humor about his canny ability to not recognize his own social inadequacies, his love of music, his impatience with the “rents’” ( slang for parents) and the complicated feelings he feels for two girls. The majority of the book’s content takes a look at how a family deals with a serious illness and how it upsets the delicate balance of family life: changes occur in family member’s roles, the financial burden the family feels from medical bills and the shift in responsibility as Steven must adapt to the changes. The never ending trips to Philly that take mom and Jeffrey away from the home while Jeffrey seeks treatment, the absent but present father agonizing over the family debt and Stevens self isolation at times playing his drums gives the tone of the book a connection that one can identify with and allow one to understand this families situation. The emotional ups and downs Steven and his family face, dealing with both humor and concern is an instant connection for teen readers. Along with supporting characters at home, hospital and school, Jeffrey's story gains depth and Steven's love for his brother starts to shine through. A review from Kirkus sums up the true depth of the story, "The reader falls in love with the brothers, laughing and crying by turns and rooting for both of them until it almost hurts".
4. AWARDS/REVIEWS
BOOKLIST review: "Steven Alper is a typical eighth-grader--smarter than some, a better drummer than most, but with the usual girl problems and family trials. Then, on October 7, his five-year-old brother, Jeffrey, falls, has a nosebleed that doesn't stop, and is diagnosed with leukemia. All hell breaks loose. Mrs. Alper's days and nights revolve around getting Jeffrey to his chemotherapy treatments, and Mr. Alper retreats into a shell, coming out only occasionally to weep over the mounting medical bills. Steven becomes the forgotten son, who throws himself into drumming, even as he quits doing his homework and tries to keep his friends from finding out about Jeffrey's illness. A story that could have morphed into melodrama is saved by reality, rawness, and the wit Sonnenblick infuses into Steven's first-person voice. The recriminations, cares, and nightmares that come with a cancer diagnosis are all here, underscored by vomiting, white blood cell counts, and chemotherapy ports. Yet, this is also about regrouping, solidarity, love, and hope. Most important for a middle-grade audience, Sonneblick shows that even in the midst of tragedy, life goes on, love can flower, and the one thing you can always change is yourself." Ilene Cooper
Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award (formerly Arizona Young Readers Award), Award Categories: Picture Book, Intermediate Book, Tween Book, Non-fiction Book (Grade level designations are not given.), 2009, Tween
Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award, Award Category: Grades 4-8, 2008, Grades 4-8
Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, Award Categories: Picture Book, Grades 4-6, Grades 6-9, High School, 2008, Grades 6-9
Minnesota Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award, Award Categories: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, 2008, Division II, Grades 6-8
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award, Award Categories: Grades K-3, Grades 3-6, Grades 6-8, Young Adult, 2009, Grades 6-8
5. CONNECTIONS
Curriculum: http://www.jordansonnenblick.com/DRUMS_curriculum_unit.pdf
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