88 pages • 2 hours read
Jordan SonnenblickDrums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2004A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
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
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 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
12-15yearsLexile Level
940L