Audible Book Review: Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

This is a surprisingly touching listen!

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
By: Jordan Sonnenblick
Narrated by: Joel Johnstone

Series: Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie, Book 1
Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 02-20-11
Language: English
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Teen & Young Adult, Cancer, Diseases, Humor
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

Publisher's Summary
Thirteen-year-old Steven has a totally normal life (well, almost): He plays drums in the All-Star Jazz Band, has a crush on the hottest girl in school (who doesn’t know he’s alive), frequently finds himself sitting across from his school counselor (who bribes him with candy), and is constantly annoyed by his five-year-old brother, Jeffrey (who is cuter than cute). Oh, Steven has parents, too (the kind that embarrass him). But when Jeffrey gets sick, Steven’s world is turned upside down as he is forced to deal with his brother’s illness, his parents’ attempts to keep the family in one piece, the band, overdue homework, girls, and of course, Dangerous Pie (yes, you have to listen to the book to find out what that is).
In a debut that has won raves, Jordan Sonnenblick digs deep into the heart of a family in crisis with humor, hope, and impressive sensitivity.
©2005 Jordan Sonnenblick (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Review:
Steven is a ‘mostly’ normal 13-year-old with two working parents and a sort of pesky younger brother, 5-year-old Jeffrey. Steven plays drums in the school jazz band, stares at the back of the popular girl he’s crushing on and he finds friendship with the young piano player who is always kind to him. Things are going along fine in eighth grade until Jeffrey is diagnosed with Leukemia.

Steven’s mother has to leave work and the family struggles with treatments, care and costs. His parents don’t have much time for Steven who continues to put forth a good front. But in truth Steven is shutting down at school where no one knows why. His teachers send him to the school counselor who bribes him with candy to encourage him to talk. The only time Steven gets away from his thoughts is when he is in the groove playing his drums.

Then one day Steven’s mother gets sick and he and his dad have to rush Jeffrey to the hospital. Now Steven sees a whole new view and starts to open up to his family and friends.

This wonderful story is told in pitch perfect first person. Jordan Sonnenblick does a remarkable job developing the characters, especially Steven. The story is extremely touching and even brought tears to my eyes. Don’t judge this by the cover or the title – it is well worth picking up and reading/listening!

Audio Notes: Joel Johnstone does a perfect narration. Just as the story is pitch perfect, the narration is pitch perfect. I am very glad that I picked this up on Audible.

Source: 4/30/2017 Audible Daily Deal $1.95. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.