Drums Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

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Steven is an eighth grade drumming phenom. He practices like crazy and is really big in jazz band. His life is typical, with crushes and homework, until his five year old brother Jeff gets cancer. Steven’s life starts spinning out of control as his brother gets more sick, and his parents try to work out the best treatment. This is the story of the year of treatment that happens and what it takes for a family to deal with sickness.


I liked the book because it’s honest. It’s not all sad or all happy. It is just a realistic look at a family, told from the point of view of the older brother. When his little brother gets sick, the whole world revolves around making him better. Grades slip, parents ignore other problems, the family struggles, because that’s what really happens. Even though the little brother is fighting cancer, this is overall a happy book with a lot of heart. I also really like the sequels, especially Tales of the Midnight Driver!