The fourth book I read this school year is Drum Roll, Please by Lisa Jenn Bigelow. This realistic fiction novel is about a girl, Melly, who goes to band camp with her best friend Olivia over the summer. Melly would be more excited to go, but just before leaving for Camp Rockaway, her parents tell her that they're getting a divorce and she feels absolutely shocked because they never argued. Even though Melly is shy, she loves playing the drums and begins making new friends at camp. While Olivia ditches Melly to pursue a new crush, Melly starts to fall for another girl at camp, Adeline. Over the next two weeks, she spends her time finding her own voice and learning that she does have what it takes to be a rock star drummer.
Ever since I was a preteen, I've been interested in summer camp because I myself never got to go. One of my favorite shows was the hit Disney reality series, Bug Juice, so I really enjoyed this novel's interpretation of the camp experience. I was shy in in middle and high school, which means I found Melly very relatable. It was easy to root for her because I wanted her to improve her skills as a drummer and decide what makes her happy. I could also see the strain that her parents' divorce was putting on her throughout the story. She does struggle to manage her emotions from time to time, but she grows from her challenges during camp. I loved the conclusion of the story because Melly learns how to express herself to her friends and parents. The major themes were friendship, first love, family, finding your voice, and music. I think anyone who likes camp or realistic stories would enjoy it.
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