Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie

Reach for this book when your family is facing a medical crisis or when a sibling feels lost in the shadow of a brother or sister's illness. This story follows eighth-grader Steven Alper as he navigates the sudden diagnosis of his younger brother, Jeffrey, with leukemia. It captures the complex blend of resentment, guilt, and fierce love that defines sibling bonds under pressure. While the subject is heavy, the tone is surprisingly funny and relatable, making it accessible for readers aged 10 to 14. You might choose this to help your child process feelings of invisibility or to normalize the wide range of emotions, from anger to humor, that arise during a family emergency. It is a secular, realistic, and ultimately life-affirming look at resilience.