DRUMS, GIRLS & DANGEROUS PIE

Young Adult Fiction about Jordan Sonnenblick

He has done wonderful job by describing mindset of 13 years old teenager, Steven Alper. Told in sarcastic manner, it’s about how Steven’s hatred towards his brother Jeffrey (5) is transformed into love after Jeffrey diagnosed with Leukemia.

Suffering from teen-age adolescent and turbulence, he grows up to a ‘matured man’ who is a great support, not only to Jeffrey but to his parents as well. He plays all the time with Jeffrey and gives him courage that everything will be alright. He shares tension with parents about family’s financial problems as well. Steven is an excellent drum-player, which does not remain just a hobby but also an activity, passion to soothe his agony. But just to save money, he is ready to give up practice.

Because of family problems, he is not able to concentrate on study, during is bad time his teachers, counselor and friends support him like anything. Renee Albert is the most beautiful girl whom he has crush on and Annett who is his best friend, and an excellent piano player become his tutors. They come up with an idea to make band concert a charity function to help Alper family. Starting with Steven, all friends cut their hair to look bald to save Jeffrey from feeling of dismay and embarrassment.

Some punch-lines really penetrated me are,
“Renee was beautiful and now she is friend. Annette is friend but now she beautiful also.”
Counselor advises him “Instead of agonizing about things we cannot change, try to concentrate on things we can change”

How wonderful! Such an eternal fact has been explained in nice and easy language. During the concert, Jeffrey and parents are in hall to cheer up Steven. During interval, Jeffrey becomes sick and all of them have to rush to hospital. Steven’s coach replaces him for rest of the concert.

But all is well that ends well. Concert turns out to be a great success; Alper family gets some $23,000.00+ fund. Jeffery has started recovered from cancer. Renee and Annette are Steven’s best friends and last but not the least, bond in Alper family is stronger than ever!