Drumroll, Please

Thirteen-year-old Melly attends Camp Rockaway, a two-week summer music program, right after learning her parents are getting divorced. She arrives at camp hoping to improve her drumming skills while her best friend Olivia encourages her to break out of her comfort zone. At camp, Melly navigates new friendships and group dynamics as she rehearses with her assigned band. The structured days of music practice and outdoor activities provide a backdrop for her personal journey, even as she processes the changes happening back home. Gender, identity, and the courage to be oneself emerge as central elements in this middle-grade coming-of-age story. Through music and unexpected connections at camp, Melly discovers her own voice and strength beyond the drumbeat.

Readers highlight the authentic portrayal of self-discovery and first love in this middle-grade novel. Many connect with the main character Melly's journey of finding her confidence at summer camp. Positives from reviews: - Natural representation of LGBTQ+ themes without making it the only focus - Realistic depiction of friendship dynamics and family changes - Strong character development throughout the story - Relatable musical elements and drumming details Common criticisms: - Some found the pacing slow in the first third - A few readers wanted more depth to supporting characters - Parents note discussions of divorce may be heavy for younger readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (140+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (25+ ratings) One reader noted: "This book handles complex emotions with care while staying true to the middle school experience." Another mentioned: "The summer camp setting felt nostalgic and real."

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🎵 Lisa Jenn Bigelow drew from her own experiences at summer camp and as a drummer when crafting this middle-grade novel about self-discovery 🌈 The book was a 2018 Lambda Literary Award Finalist in the LGBTQ Children's/Young Adult category 🥁 The main character, Melly, plays a variety of percussion instruments throughout the story, including snare drum, bass drum, and cymbals 💫 The story takes place over just two weeks at Camp Rockaway, but showcases significant character growth as Melly finds her voice both musically and personally 🏕️ The author worked as a librarian while writing the book, and conducted research by interviewing real-life camp counselors to ensure authenticity in the camp setting