Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie

Drum, Girls & Dangerous Pie is a book aimed at children and young teenagers, and was the 2004 debut^[1] novel from author Jordan Sonnenblick, originally published by DayBlue Insights^[2] and later by Scholastic. Publishers Weekly described it as "insightful".^[1]

Sonnenblick, an English teacher and former student of author Frank McCourt, was inspired to write the novel by the real-life story of one of his own students.^[3]

Characters

Steven Richard Alper- Steven is the protagonist, a drummer and an eighth grader. Steven has a sense of humor and is highly annoyed by his little brother at the beginning of the story. He feels he is neglected at most parts, he is in love with Renee Albert as well as a friendship with Annette. Every since Jeffrey was diagnosed it affected Steven a lot. He often felt that it was his fault that Jeffrey had cancer.

Jeffrey Alper- Jeffrey, or 'Jeffy' is Steven's little brother who is diagnosed with ALL, acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Jeffy is described by Steven as being 'too cute.' Jeffrey is a really adorable 5 year old as said in the book with blond hair (which he loses). He is obsessed with Steven. He looks up to him.

Annette Watson- Annette is a smart friend of Steven's and sometimes watches Jeffy. She has an unknown crush on Steven, but sees that he likes Renee, and is sad, but not hopeless. Steven was tutored by her when he was failing his classes. She later teams up with Renee to help raise money for Jeffrey at their spring concert. Finally Steven sees that he likes her as well because he begins to fall in love with her.

Renee Albert- Renee is every boy's dream, including Steven's. She is a cheerleader and is also a math whiz. She is the object of most girls affections. Steven, though decides that Renee does not pay attention to him for the right reasons, so ends up liking Annette.In the end she and Annette come together to help Jeffrey.

Mr. Watras- Steven's music teacher of the All-City Jazz band. He is Steven's favorite teacher and his mentor.

Miss Palma-Steven's Language arts teacher.

Mrs. Galley - Steven's guidance counselor at his school. Steven talks to her a lot about his problems, mainly about Jeffrey having cancer and about a dream that he starts having that Jeffrey dies in the winter as Steven throws snowballs at him.

Samantha``` - Steven's friend he meets at the hospital who also has leukamia. At the end it ends up that she dies.

Mrs. Alper_- This is Steven's Mother. She is caring and loving to both of the kids, but it gets so hard when they find out Jeffery has cancer. When she finds out that Jeffrey has cancer she has to be in and out of Philadelphia with Jeffrey and leave behind Steven and her husband.

Mr. Alper- Mr. Alper is the dad of the 2 boys. His job is a being a father . It also gets really difficult when Jeffery gets cancer because he has to pay all of the bills. Whenever his wife calls from Philadelphia he just can't tell Steven the news about Jeffrey. When they found out that Jeffrey had cancer he would not say a word to Steven. But at the end he does and has an emotional heart touching moment with Steven.

Sequel

Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie is followed by Notes From the Midnight Driver and After Ever After

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie review, Publishers Weekly, December 12, 2005
2. ^ Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie on Google Books
3. ^ 2 heavies and a lightweight for preschoolers (in preschool), Detroit Free Press, 23 November 2005

External links

• Review on teenreads.com