Summary
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick is a critically acclaimed novel geared toward older children and young teenagers. Published in 2005, the book tackles the heavy subject of childhood cancer through the eyes of 13-year-old Steven, whose younger brother is diagnosed with leukemia. A former English teacher, Sonnenblick was inspired to write the book by the real-life experience of one of his students. Praised for its authenticity, sensitivity, and humor by both literary critics and educators, the novel has become a fixture of middle school and junior high reading lists.
Plot
Steven Alper is a typical 13-year-old boy living in New Jersey. He plays drums in the All-Star Jazz Band, has a crush on the most popular girl in school, and finds his five-year-old brother Jeffrey annoying yet adorable. However, Steven's world is turned upside down when Jeffrey is diagnosed with leukemia.
As Jeffrey undergoes treatment, the Alper family struggles to cope. Steven's mother quits her job to care for Jeffrey, while his father becomes distant and preoccupied with financial concerns. Steven feels isolated and begins to neglect his schoolwork, but he's hesitant to share his troubles with anyone at school.
Eventually, Steven's guidance counselor and teachers encourage him to open up about his situation. His classmate Annette Watson, a piano prodigy, persistently tries to discover what's bothering Steven. During one of Jeffrey's hospital visits, Steven meets Samantha, a girl with leukemia, who advises him to stay involved in his brother's life.
As the story progresses, Steven's friends organize a benefit concert to help with the Alper family's medical bills. On the night of the concert, Jeffrey develops a fever and must return to the hospital. Steven chooses to accompany his brother instead of performing his drum solo. The novel concludes with Jeffrey in remission, and Steven finding a new perspective on his relationships with family and friends.
Themes
Coming of age and family crisis
Coping with childhood illness
Sibling relationships and responsibility
The power of music and artistic expression
Friendship and community support
Balancing personal life with family obligations
Resilience and personal growth through adversity
Setting
Set in the early 2000s, Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie unfolds in a typical American suburb. While the specific town is not named, the story takes place in New Jersey, offering readers a glimpse into the everyday life of a middle-class family in the Garden State.
The narrative primarily revolves around two key locations—the Alper family's home and the local hospital. Steven's school, where he attends classes and band practice, also features prominently. These settings provide a familiar backdrop for the story's exploration of family dynamics, adolescent experiences, and the impact of serious illness on daily life.
Characters
Steven Alper: The protagonist and narrator. Age 13, Steven is a talented drummer in the All-Star Jazz Band who struggles to cope with his younger brother's leukemia diagnosis. He experiences a range of emotions and personal growth throughout the story as he navigates family crises, school pressures, and his first crush. Steven's sarcastic humor and vulnerability make him a relatable and compelling character.
Jeffrey Alper: Steven's five-year-old brother who is diagnosed with leukemia. Jeffrey's illness becomes the central conflict of the story, impacting the entire family. Despite the challenges of his treatment, Jeffrey maintains his childlike innocence and his close bond with Steven.
Annette Watson: Steven's classmate and friend. Annette is a piano prodigy who shows concern for Steven and helps organize a fundraiser for his family. She becomes an important source of support for Steven and eventually a romantic interest.
Renee Albert: A popular girl at school and Steven’s crush. Renee becomes more attentive to Steven after learning about his family situation. She helps with the fundraising efforts alongside Annette.
Mr. and Mrs. Alper: Steven and Jeffrey's parents. They struggle to keep the family together while coping with Jeffrey's illness and mounting medical bills. Mrs. Alper quits her job to care for Jeffrey, while Mr. Alper becomes distant and focused on work.
Mrs. Galley: Steven's school counselor. She provides guidance and support to Steven as he deals with his brother's illness and academic struggles.
Samantha: A girl with leukemia whom Steven meets at the hospital. Before her death, Samantha offers Steven advice about staying involved in his brother's life.
Quick facts
Author Jordan Sonnenblick, a former English teacher, was inspired to write the novel by the real-life story of one of his students.
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie marked Sonnenblick's fiction debut.
The main character, Steven, is 13 years old and plays the drums.
Steven's five-year-old brother Jeffrey is diagnosed with leukemia,
Though dealing with childhood cancer and other serious themes, Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie incorporates humor.
The book takes on the subject of death through the character of Samantha, a leukemia patient Steven meets at the hospital.
In the book’s title, “Dangerous Pie” refers to something readers have to discover for themselves.
The novel features a fundraising concert organized by Steven’s classmates to help his family with Jeffrey’s medical bills.
Sonnenblick was a former student of famous author Frank McCourt.
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie has a sequel, After Ever After.
About the Author
Jordan Sonnenblick is an acclaimed American author of middle grade and young adult fiction. He made his publishing debut in 2005 with Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie, a novel tackling the subject of childhood cancer. He followed its success with a sequel, After Ever After. As of 2023, he has published 14 books, including Notes from the Midnight Driver and Zen and the Art of Faking It. Often exploring themes of adolescence and coming of age, family, and overcoming challenges, his books are widely praised for their blend of humor and heart.
Born in 1969 in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Sonnenblick grew up in Staten Island, New York. His journey to becoming a writer was unconventional, starting with his education at prestigious schools in New York City and an Ivy League university. After graduating, he joined Teach for America. He spent several years as an educator, teaching fifth grade in Houston, Texas, and eighth-grade English in suburban New Jersey. While teaching, he was inspired to write his first novel, Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie, by the real-life story of a student whose brother was battling cancer.
Beyond writing, Sonnenblick is known for his love of music, playing drums, guitar, and bass. He frequently visits schools across the United States and internationally to discuss his books. He currently lives with his family in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he continues to impact young readers with his relatable stories and characters, while occasionally returning to the classroom as a substitute teacher.
