Drum Roll, Please

Reach for this book when your child is navigating the quiet, heavy transition of a parental split or feeling like a background character in their own life. Melly is a shy girl who finds her voice behind a drum kit at summer camp, providing a relatable roadmap for kids who feel overlooked. The story beautifully handles the complexities of shifting best-friend dynamics and the tender, nervous excitement of a first same-sex crush. It is a secular, inclusive, and deeply empathetic choice for middle schoolers aged 9 to 13 who are learning that 'making noise' is sometimes the bravest thing they can do. Parents will appreciate the realistic, hopeful portrayal of finding identity amidst family upheaval.