MMGM- The Beat I Drum

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Bowling, Dusti. The Beat I Drum
Published April 1st 2025 by Union Square Kids
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Connor Bradley, Aven Greene's friend from Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus has had to move from Scottsdale, Arizona to Chandler, to be near his father. His mother has a better job, and their apartment is cheaper, but Connor misses Aven and his friends, and isn't thrilled about starting a new high school where people aren't aware of his Tourette's Syndrome. His mother talked to the school, so his teachers tell his classmates about his situation, and he does meet Amanda, who also has Tourette's. She has more muscle tics than vocal ones, but invites Connor to have lunch with her and her friends. Since Connor's tics also include spitting, the two eat outside, but it's too hot, and she assures him that her friends will understand. There are some jerks at the school, and Liam constantly gives him a hard time on the bus, but Rory, Amanda's friend, comes to his rescue. She has a birthmark that covers half her face, so knows all too well how unpleasant Liam can be. She and Amanda are involved with music, as is their friend Keanu. Amanda's parents own the Organ Pipe Pizza Parlor, and Connor is enthralled with the place, and is very happy to have new friends. He takes a lot of comfort from this, as well as taking drumming lessons from Ms. Chen at the school. He needs it, because he has a fraught relationship with his father. He feels that his parents divorced because his father couldn't deal with his Tourette's, and he and his father seem to fight even when his father is trying to help. Rory and Connor like each other, and share tentative kisses, and he agrees to go with her to a Pink Daylight concert, because she thinks that her real father is the lead singer, Ted Caddell. After a scuffle with Liam at school, where Connor gets suspended for punching the other boy in the face, Connor has a hard time dealing with his new friends, and makes everyone angry. He even breaks a drumstick while working with Ms. Chen. He reconnects with Aven, realizing that he's been neglecting her and that she's been in a funk. This gives him a little perspective, and his father also helps to shed some light on their relationship, and makes an effort to improve it. Connor is able to apologize to his new friends, and even though the concert doesn't go well for Rory, begins to feel at home in his new town. 

Strengths: I loved that Connor was starting his freshman year in high school. Young readers want to read about older characters, so this is perfect. It also makes sense, since we've seen him in middle school in previous books. It was good to see that while there were jerks like Liam, there were also supportive people like Amanda and Ms. Chen. The principal was realistically understanding when Connor punched Liam; there would still have to be a punishment, even if Liam was a bully. Dealing with divorce, and trying to navigate a new relationship with parents is something that many young readers experience, and Connor's difficulties seem well portrayed. It was interesting to see how Connor used drumming to work through his anger, and how even listening to music was therapeutic for him. The relationship  between Connor and Rory was my absolute favorite part of the book; we need more sweet romances like this! 
Weaknesses: The storyline with Rory thinking that her father was a rock star was a bit far fetched, and took attention away from other issues that have used more exploring. While I personally don't think that the father should have to share his past with Connor, he does have to get along with his son, and modern philosophy involves this kind of sharing. I think it is not necessary for children to know things their parents don't wish to share, but I am in the minority. 
What I really think: Readers who have followed Aven's story will be glad to pick up this related volume, and fans of Grosso's I Am Drums will appreciate the percussion representation.There are not as many books about kids in musical programs as there should be; fans of Larsen's Playing Through the Turnaround  and Landis' Operation Final Notice will also like this upper middle grade title.