Drums, Girls, & Dangerous Pie

Drums, Girls, & Dangerous Pie tells the story of Steven Alper, a 13-year-old boy whose normal middle school concerns, like drumming and crushes, are overshadowed by his five-year-old brother Jeffrey's leukemia diagnosis. The book offers an honest and often raw portrayal of how a family copes with a life-threatening illness, from the financial strain and emotional distance to the moments of profound love and support. Steven struggles to maintain his schoolwork and friendships while his parents are consumed with Jeffrey's care, but eventually learns to lean on his friends and find his own way to contribute. It's a powerful narrative about resilience, empathy, and the transformative power of family love, even in the darkest times.