Your annoying little brother just got diagnosed with leukemia, and you feel all the attention in the family has fallen on him. Welcome to Steven Alper's life. Steven is the main character of Jordan Sonnenblick's Drums, Girls, + Dangerous Pie, a young-adult novel, which takes place in Pennsylvania, in present times, during Steven Alper's 8th grade year. Steven's younger brother Jeffrey (whom he can't stand), is diagnosed with leukemia and all attention shifts towards the new cancer patient. Steven becomes very insecure about Jeffery's cancer, and tries to keep it a secret from his friends, teachers, and peers. Along with the threat of cancer, the Alper family is losing a large sum of money paying for Jeffrey's treatment. Due to his insecurity
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Steven has been crushing on Renee for years. When Renee shows up to Steven’s house, she explains she has “‘some kind of virus thingy’” (159). Due to Jeffrey’s weak nervous system, he can easily get very sick. Even though Renee meant well, Steven knew he could not spare the chance of his brother getting more sick, and didn’t let Renee in. This supports the theme because Steven knows his brother needs to stay healthy and stands up for Jeffrey, even though he is irritating. Towards the end of the story, Steven is playing at his final performance for the All-City band, where he plays the drums. The event was dedicated and made in Jeffrey’s honor, and helped financially support the Alpers. But before the performance, Steven notices Jeffrey’s head is warm, and knows he needs to go to the hospital to be seen by a doctor. Suddenly, Steven feels obliged to be there for his brother and leaves his concert he’d been waiting for all year. Even though “Jeffrey had an ear infection. I missed the highlight of my year because Jeffrey had an ear infection” (263), Steven knew he had to be there for his brother. This proves the theme, because over time, Steven learns that he needs to be happy and accept he is Jeffrey Alper’s older brother, role model, and
Steven has been crushing on Renee for years. When Renee shows up to Steven’s house, she explains she has “‘some kind of virus thingy’” (159). Due to Jeffrey’s weak nervous system, he can easily get very sick. Even though Renee meant well, Steven knew he could not spare the chance of his brother getting more sick, and didn’t let Renee in. This supports the theme because Steven knows his brother needs to stay healthy and stands up for Jeffrey, even though he is irritating. Towards the end of the story, Steven is playing at his final performance for the All-City band, where he plays the drums. The event was dedicated and made in Jeffrey’s honor, and helped financially support the Alpers. But before the performance, Steven notices Jeffrey’s head is warm, and knows he needs to go to the hospital to be seen by a doctor. Suddenly, Steven feels obliged to be there for his brother and leaves his concert he’d been waiting for all year. Even though “Jeffrey had an ear infection. I missed the highlight of my year because Jeffrey had an ear infection” (263), Steven knew he had to be there for his brother. This proves the theme, because over time, Steven learns that he needs to be happy and accept he is Jeffrey Alper’s older brother, role model, and