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    Mike Grosso’s ‘I Am Drums’ offers strong contemporary voice

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    By Jessica on December 12, 2016 ages 10 & up, Middle Grade
    “I AM DRUMS,” by Mike Grosso, Clarion Books, Sept. 6, 2016, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 10 and up)

    Sam is destined to be a drummer — she just knows it. She can’t afford a drum kit of her own, but she’s learned how to improvise with different things in her bedroom. Sam is the queen of making things work, but then she learns that her school music program is begin cut because of budget concerns, and her parents are arguing a lot, her skills are really put to the test.

    How do you walk away from your dream? Sam just can’t. Drums sound in her head all the time. She doesn’t know how to explain it, but she has to play. Even if that means getting creative.

    As someone who grew up passionate about dancing, I immediately felt a kinship with Sam. Everything I did revolved around ballet. It was my life. It was what kept me moving forward. Sam is much the same way. Instead of choreographing in her head, she composes.

    Sam is the kind of kid you immediately like and want to succeed. She’s not perfect, but her resourcefulness is endearing.

    At first glance, you might think Mike Grosso’s book is only about band and music, but it goes way beyond. Anyone who’s ever been passionate about a sport, reading, writing — even gardening — can relate. Grosso’s writing is easily accessible. Like the subject he writes about, his prose has a driving rhythm that ebbs and flows in just the right places.

    “I Am Drums” is a great choice for middle-graders of both genders. In it, Grosso has created a strong contemporary voice you’ll want to revisit again and again.

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    Jessica Harrison is the reviewer behind Cracking the Cover. She loves books and worked as the in-house book critic at a daily newspaper, writing reviews and interviewing authors for two years. When the company cut back, she lost her position covering books, but that doesn't mean she stopped reading. If anything, the whole experience made her more passionate about reading and giving people the tools to make informed decisions in their own book choices. She has been featured on NetGalley's Blogger Spotlight and is on Kindleprenuer's Ultimate List of the Best Book Review Blogs. Contact her at jessica(at)crackingthecover(dot)com and follow Cracking the Cover on Bluesky, Instagram,  Facebook and Twitter (X) @crackingthecovr. You can also read scaled down reviews on Jessica's Goodreads review page. Jessica is also a reviewer on Amazon.

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