Falling Over Sideways

by Jordan Sonnenblick
Hennepin County Library audiobook 5 CDs
read by Miriam Volle
genre: YA realistic fiction

Initially, I wasn't excited about this book. That may have been the reader's voice. "Too tween-y, angsty, stereotypical, drama . . ." was the note I jotted about it. "Vocal work - she sounds too young."

The main character is Claire, a girl starting 8th grade and living in the shadow of her "perfect" older brother Matthew. The story is an interesting mix of humor and seriousness, which I suppose makes it just like Sonnenblick's other books. It seems so weird to have a humorous book about a girl dealing with her father's sudden stroke. It was eerie how realistic the scenarios were, making me wonder about the author's research and experiences.

Claire's shift from anger to depression was also quite believable. "I had never been much of a crier until eighth grade." Her end of the school year thoughts and emotions also rang very true. The ending brought tears to my eyes. Another Sonnenblick success!

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie

by Jordan Sonnenblick
PRMS paperback 273 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction, humorous, cancer

I love this book! This is a re-read, but I was so glad that my eighth grade book club enjoyed it that I had to read it again. Sonnenblick has such a great gift. He really gets middle school kids. I was crying through much of the last half, but there was plenty of humor as Steven navigates the challenges of middle school and having a little brother with leukemia. Beautiful story.

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie

by Jordan Sonnenblick
PRMS paperback 273 pages

This was a re-read to prep for our 8th grade book club meeting. I still love this book! I cried even harder this time than the first time I read it.

Our discussion yesterday was good. I enjoy this group of young people and liked hearing their perspectives on this story.

Steven is a drummer with a little brother who gets luekemia. Sonnenblick (a teacher) uses a very authentic voice for his protagonist! Wonderfully written, this book is a pleasure.

Notes from the Midnight Driver

by Jordan Sonnenblick
Hennepin County Library, paperback, 265 pages

This author nails the typical teenage voice well. Once again, he has created a character (Alex) who is self-centered at the start of the story, but grows up in a big way. I liked how he drew Steven and Annette (from Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie) into this story.

The reconciliation and family relationships piece was strong. This will be a fun book to talk about with kids. I cried, naturally. Laurie and Sol were my favorite characters. Sol was a blast!



Re-read it because I brought mostly non-fiction to the lake and I wanted to "zone out" with an easy book. (Some people zone out in front of the tv . . . )

Love this! Both funny and serious, it is so delightful.

Reconciliation - parents and kids. Owning your own responsibility.