Tween Tuesday: Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

4 soft oatmeal butterscotch cookies.

Cover Love:  I really like this cover, but it's not the one for the book I read.  The other one was okay though.  My only problem with the newer Sonnenblick covers is that the boys look older than they are in the book.  Although this kid looks like he could be a 7th grader.

Why I Wanted To Read This Book:

I started reading After Ever After because I booktalk it in school a lot and I had never read it.  I was a few pages in when I realized it was the sequel to this one, so I stopped that one and pick this one up!  Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

From first-time novelist Jordan Sonnenblick, a brave and beautiful story that will make readers laugh and break their hearts at the same time.Thirteen-year-old Steven has a totally normal life: he plays drums in the All-Star Jazz band, has a crush on the hottest girl in the school, and is constantly annoyed by his five-year-old brother, Jeffrey. But when Jeffrey is diagnosed with leukemia, Steven's world is turned upside down. He is forced to deal with his brother's illness and his parents' attempts to keep the family in one piece. Salted with humor and peppered with devastating realities, DRUMS, GIRLS, AND DANGEROUS PIE is a heartwarming journey through a year in the life of a family in crisis.

I Kept Reading Because:
Wow.  What a story.  I couldn't put it down.

Romance?:  No, but some middle school crushing.

What I Liked (& Didn't):

First of all, this story hit home hard.  My oldest son is sick, not with cancer and overall his health is really good, but he has a chronic disease (crohns).  When we were in the midst of him being pretty sick and getting a diagnosis my youngest son was kind of lost in the shuffle.  And no matter how hard you try for that not to happen it just does.  So, I found myself crying a bunch as I read this book and feeling so much for Steven and the family.  But there was also humor and hope and love.

Steven was such a well written character.  He was mixed up and hurting and trying so hard to be the good son for everyone in his family.  And he was such an amazing big brother to Jeffrey!  Jeffrey was so lucky to have Steven.  When Steven finally went with Jeffrey to the hospital it was so emotional.  I think it is good for siblings to see what their brother or sister goes through when they have a disease and having treatments.

Jeffrey was also so good about going through what he was going through.  For such a little guy to have to deal with that!  It makes your heart hurt a little for sure. 

The girls in Steven's life were so sweet and caring!  I was glad people at school rallied around Steven to help him through his brother's disease.

To Sum Up:  Such an amazing look at what a disease does to a family.  And to have it from teh point of view of a middle grade boy!  So well written.

Book from my library's collection.

Tween Tuesday was created by Sarah, the GreenBeanTeenQueen.  Check her out!