Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie

Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie is an original novel by Jordan Sonnenblick. Steven Alper is an 8th grade boy dealing with the challenges of growing up. On top of middle school stress Steven’s younger brother, Jeffrey, has cancer. Steven has to learn to deal with this added pressure. While finding his true self he becomes more aware of others by willingly making personal scarifies.

When Steven shaves his head it shows that he really cares about his brother. Jeffrey had thought that people couldn’t see the fact that his chemotherapy left him with no hair, until another kid told him he was bald. Steven see’s that Jeffrey is really upset about this so he shaves his head so that Jeffrey doesn’t have to be alone in his baldness. Steven cares enough about his brother to make a physical change to his appearance.

Steven has a very big crush on a girl named Renee Albert. She is coming over to tutor him in math. This is all he has ever wanted. But every since Jeffrey has gotten sick anyone with the tiniest hint of illness can’t be around him. When Renee comes over she is sniffling. Steven doesn’t let her even though it is his hearts desire because he puts his brother in danger. This shows that Steven is putting his brother before anything else.

Steven realizes that with his brothers medical bills are really high and that his parents are struggling financially. He decides that he will give up his drum lessons to help his family’s budget a little bit. Steven is seeing that his family is struggling so he willingly decides to help. This shows that Steven wants to help his family.

Through personal sacrifices Steven becomes more aware of others, which allows him to himself. Not everybody has a younger brother with cancer or is under the stress of 8^th grade but we can learn how to care for others through Steven.  Steven is a true role model.