.jpeg?picon=2450)
Jen Robinson reads more books than anybody I know. Not only does she read hundreds of thousands of words every year, she also writes intelligent reviews.
Last year I started to read one of her reviews for an upcoming book, but she recommended reading the first book first. Go figure. I added it to my Wish List and hubby gave it to me for Christmas. The book was Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick.
Oh. My. Gosh.
Have you ever read a book and just had it change your world? As a reader and as a writer? Not only did Drums make me laugh out loud, it made me cry, it made me marvel, it made me want to write a book with characters just as real as the ones in this story.
If you look over the list of books I've read in the last year, you'll see my tastes lean toward fantasy. This book is not fantasy. And yet I loved it so much I'm ready to tell the world they have to read this book!
The main character, Steven, is an eighth grader who plays drums in a jazz band. He has an annoying younger brother (I can sympathize!) and a crush on the hottest girl in his class. But when his world turns upside down, he has to learn how to take control of the things he CAN change instead of wasting his anger on the the things he can't change.
This book has such an authentic middle grade voice, it's never preachy or mushy, always funny. I can't say enough wonderful things about it. I have now ordered every book by Jordan Sonnenblick and he's officially added to the list of author's I am likely to go "Fangirl" around. Consider yourself warned, Mr. S!
The sequel to this book, After Ever After, comes out next month. Jen Robinson read the ARC and highly recommended it.
As luck would have it, I have an extra copy of Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie to give away. For some reason, when my husband ordered this book for me, he ordered two. Maybe somehow he knew I'd love this book so much I'd want other people to read it?
If you'd like my extra copy, leave a comment below before 10 pm PST on Sunday. If I randomly select your name, I'll be sending it your way. Believe me, you want to read this book!
Whoa!!!! Sold. This one sounds amazing, and I want to read something that is dead-on with that ever elusive middle grade voice that gives me so much trouble.
sf
I love when you find a book that totally rocks your world!!
(Especially when you don't expect it. I mean, that's why we read, right?)
Cool find!
Shelley
Oh goody! I'm thrilled to know you're giving away a copy. I was just thinking, must get my hands on one. Hope it's me!!!
Oh, sounds great. Thanks for sharing.
I need to read a book that will put a fire under me .. you know, the kind that connects you to that dream. But, don't enter me in your contest -- I'm headed out to B&N today (by chance) and will pick it up :D
I'm always up for a free book drawing! Especially if it comes highly recommended... count me in! :)
I am so glad you read it. I loved it too. The author is a pretty cool guy too. I wrote him after reading it to say how much I enjoyed it and he responded right away, very graciously.
Well I guess I'd better read that whether I win it or not! Such high praise from you means it must be good!
Sounds like a very appealing story. I was a percussionist back in the day, too!
Sign me up! (I was a percussionist as well...go, girl drummers!)
That is one unique title. Sounds awesome! And yay for hubby for ordering books for you (and for your blogger buds ;)
Sounds incredible! I can't wait to be picked. :0) Alright, even if I'm not, I'll buy the book. Your review certainly has me curious!
That is quite a sales pitch, Sherrie. You got me hook, line, and sinker! I have to read this book now. :-)
SarahFrances: The middle grade voice is perfect. You'll love it!
Shelley: Totally! It's a great find.
T.Anne: Good luck!
Corey: You're welcome. Hope you like it :)
Tess: This is a book that will light the fire for you. Enjoy!
Valerie: VERY highly recommended :)
Yat-Yee: That's so cool that he responded. Gracious too!
Glam: Yes, read it. Great book!
Laurel: A percussionist, huh? I love it! The author is also a drummer and you can tell when you read this.
Karen: I had no idea you played drums! I'm so impressed with you girl drummers!
Kelly: My hubby doesn't read, but he's happy to feed my habit :)
Kristi: It is incredible! Good luck!
Shannon: It isn't every day that I feel so passionately about a book. This one just really moved me!
I guess I'll have to read it then. I'm easy to convince. I'm always happy to read a YA or an MG book that's good.
Wow - now that's a rave review!
thanks for sharing,
Namaste,
Lee
I'm all over that! I'm putting it on my list. Thanks so much!
Sounds great. I love word of mouth that a book has a great voice! Thanks.
Awesome! I'm gonna add to my must-read list, but I hope I WIN it! Extra fun :)
Thanks!
Put my name in. I want to read that book.
Dang. Sounds awesome. I just put it on my TBR list on goodreads. The story line reminds me of Janette Rallison's Just One Wish. Anything like that one?
Oh, I remember hearing about that one and then I spaced it out (as I do most things). Sounds great!
WOw, you should be a bookseller, Sherrie. I really want to read this book now!
Now this is a serious endorsement of a book, Sherrie. The kind that makes EVERYONE want to read the book. I'm so glad that the book had such an impact. I read it on Christmas Eve a couple of years ago, and was completely blown away. (No need to include me in your contest - but I did want to comment to thank you for bringing this book so much attention).
Seriously, Sherrie, he should pay you. :) You've totally sold me on this. Thanks for the recommendation.
Sounds amazing! Thanks for the stellar recommendation.
How can you NOT want to read after that!
Sherrie--Put my name in the hat, please. :) It sounds good.
I'm reading THE SKIN I'M IN right now. It is captivating...compelling...
Wow! That's one seriously good book rec!
Sherrie,
Don't enter me in the contest, since I've read (and LOVED) the book already--share it with someone who needs to find out about this author! Have you read much of Chris Crutcher's stuff? I'm also hooked on his books &, somehow, the two authors styles strike me as...similar just isn't the right word. MUCH harder stuff to deal with in Crutcher's so definitely read before passing on to your son, but I think you'd like them. Oh, and now go out and read Notes from the Midnight Driver, too!
I stopped reading your post to write the title on my to-be-read list. I continued the post and saw that you're giving one away--woo-hoo! I'll go for it! ;)
I never pass up the chance to get a free book!
yay!!!! i want one.
Oh my! I'm off to get it. I think Paul Michael Murphy is reading this one, too...can't wait to see if guys like it too.
WOW ... that is one convincing review!!! I want to read it!!!
YaY I have time to read it before the sequal comes out. I'm going to try to grab it at the library over the weekend. ;D
I really like Jordan Sonnenblick--he's got such an entertaining writing voice. But--and this is probably going to sound pretty weird--I didn't like the font that his books were printed in (Gill Sans, I think)! Almost never is that a factor for me, but in this case, it was sort of intrusive visually. I guess because I do some graphic design work I'm sensitive to fonts or something... :D
I've had this book on my list for ages. Glad you enjoyed it!
You make the book sounds good for me and my eleven year old.