Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie

Gropius normally doesn't post book reviews, much less reviews of 6th grade Scholastic Books. But I have to tell you: get your hands on Girls, Drums & Dangerous Pie and spend one weekend day reading that puppy. If you have kids in your life, have them read it or read it to them.

Every sixth grader in Sarasota County is being equipped with it, and our staff at work was strongly encouraged to read it as well (since we are providing the funds for the giveaway).

It's about an eighth grader stuck in the midst of obsession over outward appearances, girls, social order and an annoying younger brother. When his brother is diagnosed with leukemia, everything changes. But this is not a pity party story. I laughed. I cried. I felt the pangs of injustice, the irritation of an unforeseen circumstance changing the comfort of normalcy, and most of all, I felt incredible inspiration of the "everyday hero" variety. It reminded me that sometimes we do have to completely change our lives for people we care about, and the "inconvenience" of having to make those choices is far more important than the consequences of plowing ahead, unconsious.

I'm always re-surprised to realize that us adults often need the messages we give to kids with that knowing language...even more than 6th graders need them. Go get the book and read it. Tell the book store Gropius sent you.