Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie Essay

       "Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick is about 8th grader, Steven Alper. Everything about his life seems normal until his little brother, Jeffrey, gets cancer. At the age of 5, Jeffrey seems to be coping just fine with his illness. Steven, on the other hand, takes a journey to maturity during the story. Trying to graduate and play drums in the All City band is harder than you think with an ill brother. He matures by making all the personal sacrifices that he can.

      Steven showed maturity by leaving a show during his star moment. He had been practicing his drums all year for his big show. He had a solo in the All City band. In the middle of the show, Jeffrey got sick. Steven remembered what Sam (Samantha) who was in the hospital with leukemia also, had said, "stay with your brother, Steven, stay with him." Steven left to go to the hospital. Jeffrey's "safety" toy, Mac Medic, was at home and they had no time to go and get it, so Steven was the one to keep Jeffrey safe. Steven showed maturity by skipping out of his All City drum concert for Jeffrey.

       Steven also showed maturity by keeping Renee out of his house. He had a huge crush on her since third grade. He was looking forward to having Renee over at his house all week, even if it was only to tutor him. Because of Jeffrey's condition, he wasn't supposed to be exposed to any germs. Renee was sick; she had been out of school that day. When Renee said she was sick, Steven continued to block the doorway so she couldn't come in. Steven showed maturity here as well by preventing the prettiest girl in the eighth grade from coming into his house because of Jeffrey's condition.

       Steven showed maturity by shaving his head. Because of the leukemia all of Jeffrey's hair had fallen out. A new kid in Jeffrey's class didn't know about Jeffrey's condition.  When he saw Jeffrey, all he said was, "you're bald." That made Jeffrey go crazy, he didn't think anybody would notice that he was bald. Jeffrey didn't go to school for a while. Steven decided to shave his head one night without his parents' permission, just to make Jeffrey feel better. Steven showed maturity by making Jeffrey feel better, so there were two bald boys instead of one.

       My last reason why Steven showed maturity was by being willing to quit drum lessons. His parents were paying $20 for each lesson; they also had to pay a lot to the hospital for Jeffrey. He thought that one way he could help is to lower the amount of money his parents used for him. Steven was willing to quit drum lessons, but he didn't have to. His teacher told him that he could have the lessons for free. Steven showed maturity by being willing to quit his drum lessons so his parents would have an easier time paying the hospital for Jeffrey's care.

       Early on in the book, Steven's guidance counselor said, "instead of worrying about the things you can't change, try thinking about the things you can." Steven made personal sacrifices in several ways. He helped his family financially; he created a team of bald people so Jeffrey wouldn't feel left out; he saved his brother from exposure to more sickness; and he left what was a huge show for him, to help Jeffrey feel safe. While trying to help save Jeffrey, Steven learned what it is like to be a good person.