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readwithpassion's review
3.0
Sid loves to play drums. Until she finds out that her peers thought she was a lesbian, she never considered her image or sexuality. When she auditions for a band, they tell her that they would take her in the band if she was a "dyke" or better looking. She asks her cousin to help make her over, and the change in her appearance stuns everyone around her. She wonders if this new image is truly her. This book excellently conveys themes of identity and bullying.
crystalthesmol's review against another edition
2.0
I picked up this book from the library for two reasons: it's about a female drummer, and it seems like a short read. I thought I would be able to like it because I might've been able to relate to it.
I wasn't bored by the book. I wanted to know what happened next, and I liked the details in it because it made me want to be a musician like Sid. However, I did not like the ending. Throughout the book, Sid was losing against society. When given a chance to win, she didn't take it and ended up losing again. There could've been a lot more depth to the book if the result was different.
The subject of the book was very cliché, yet the character of Sidney was pretty unique. There were many parts of the book where it felt awkward; the way that some scenes were written made me want to look away in embarrassment rather than to indulge myself in the happenings.
Personally, I would not recommend this book.
I wasn't bored by the book. I wanted to know what happened next, and I liked the details in it because it made me want to be a musician like Sid. However, I did not like the ending. Throughout the book, Sid was losing against society. When given a chance to win, she didn't take it and ended up losing again. There could've been a lot more depth to the book if the result was different.
The subject of the book was very cliché, yet the character of Sidney was pretty unique. There were many parts of the book where it felt awkward; the way that some scenes were written made me want to look away in embarrassment rather than to indulge myself in the happenings.
Personally, I would not recommend this book.
chrissymcbooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
So, it's 3:02 AM right now and I'm up writing a book review. This means two things.
1. I must have enjoyed this book quite a bit if I'm up at 3 AM finishing it.
and
2. I make no apologies that this review may be a tad bit rambling and incoherent. I mean, it *is* 3 AM after all.
So, Sid is a self-professed tom boy, loner, and general all-around outcast. Generally preferring a masculine attire of baggy jeans and loose-fitting concert tees, Sid gives very little thought to her appearance or gender identity. Even when kids at school accuse Sid of being a lesbian, she appears to be fairly unfazed....
... that is, of course, until the hottest band in town nearly passes her over as their drummer, saying her appearance clashes with the image they're trying to project to the fans. Obsessed with drumming, both as an art form and an emotional release, Sid will give *anything* to join this band -- even if it means compromising her identity.
Soon enough, Sid succumbs to the pressure and allows her vain fashion-conscious cousin to perform a complete makeover. Equipped with her new makeup and a foreign-feeling push up bra, Sid is ready to show the band she has what it takes...
Until her new look has very negative and unforeseen consequences...
I really did enjoy reading DRUMMER GIRL, despite the fact that I've never heard of either the author or the title. Gritty and relatable, this is a fantastic work of realistic fiction that hits the hard topics from a YA perspective.
More than just a story of music, Drummer Girl is a story of identity, gender, and self-progression, outlining the tale of a teenage girl who really learns to discover herself.
On the flip side, though, it does eventually come to feel like a love story. Don't ALL YA books somehow end with the girl falling for a guy she should never love?
Although I wasn't crazy about the romantic aspect of the tale, I appreciated the bulk of the story enough to call DRUMMER GIRL a story that I would definitely recommend to fans of realistic YA fiction. I'm glad I randomly found this one in my library's e-book section, and I completely look forward to uncovering new authors in the same way!
1. I must have enjoyed this book quite a bit if I'm up at 3 AM finishing it.
and
2. I make no apologies that this review may be a tad bit rambling and incoherent. I mean, it *is* 3 AM after all.
So, Sid is a self-professed tom boy, loner, and general all-around outcast. Generally preferring a masculine attire of baggy jeans and loose-fitting concert tees, Sid gives very little thought to her appearance or gender identity. Even when kids at school accuse Sid of being a lesbian, she appears to be fairly unfazed....
... that is, of course, until the hottest band in town nearly passes her over as their drummer, saying her appearance clashes with the image they're trying to project to the fans. Obsessed with drumming, both as an art form and an emotional release, Sid will give *anything* to join this band -- even if it means compromising her identity.
Soon enough, Sid succumbs to the pressure and allows her vain fashion-conscious cousin to perform a complete makeover. Equipped with her new makeup and a foreign-feeling push up bra, Sid is ready to show the band she has what it takes...
Until her new look has very negative and unforeseen consequences...
I really did enjoy reading DRUMMER GIRL, despite the fact that I've never heard of either the author or the title. Gritty and relatable, this is a fantastic work of realistic fiction that hits the hard topics from a YA perspective.
More than just a story of music, Drummer Girl is a story of identity, gender, and self-progression, outlining the tale of a teenage girl who really learns to discover herself.
On the flip side, though, it does eventually come to feel like a love story. Don't ALL YA books somehow end with the girl falling for a guy she should never love?
Although I wasn't crazy about the romantic aspect of the tale, I appreciated the bulk of the story enough to call DRUMMER GIRL a story that I would definitely recommend to fans of realistic YA fiction. I'm glad I randomly found this one in my library's e-book section, and I completely look forward to uncovering new authors in the same way!
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
2.0
I am not sure I quite found the real message here, but the story was engaging enough that I kept with it, despite a rocky beginning. I didn't quite connect with Sid, but I thought she was a pretty authentic teen and I was okay not connecting with her because of that.
For a shorter book, a lot goes on, and I'm not sure it was all completely developed (returning to not sure I got the "message" because surely there's one here to take away). Sid wants to join a band but they don't want her because she's a girl. She doesn't dress like one, but she decides to change up her appearance and give off sex appeal hoping that'd set her apart from her male competition. It doesn't, and instead, it makes her a target of harassment and assault...by members of the very band she wants to be a part of. There's a cyber bullying theme undercutting it, too. I guess I never understood why she felt changing herself would set her apart or why she'd even WANT to do that to get attention enough to be part of the band. She figures it out later, but it was a bit of a head scratcher for me.
Sid reminded me of a lot of teens, and I think her story's appealing, especially for those girls who are tomboys and always want to hang with the guys. I appreciated that about her. It wasn't a guy who makes her change because she was always one of the guys.
That said, the writing wasn't the strongest I've read, and the beginning was a challenge to get into (may be the third person thing). The first chapter wasn't a strong hook, but once past that hurdle, it picks up.
For a shorter book, a lot goes on, and I'm not sure it was all completely developed (returning to not sure I got the "message" because surely there's one here to take away). Sid wants to join a band but they don't want her because she's a girl. She doesn't dress like one, but she decides to change up her appearance and give off sex appeal hoping that'd set her apart from her male competition. It doesn't, and instead, it makes her a target of harassment and assault...by members of the very band she wants to be a part of. There's a cyber bullying theme undercutting it, too. I guess I never understood why she felt changing herself would set her apart or why she'd even WANT to do that to get attention enough to be part of the band. She figures it out later, but it was a bit of a head scratcher for me.
Sid reminded me of a lot of teens, and I think her story's appealing, especially for those girls who are tomboys and always want to hang with the guys. I appreciated that about her. It wasn't a guy who makes her change because she was always one of the guys.
That said, the writing wasn't the strongest I've read, and the beginning was a challenge to get into (may be the third person thing). The first chapter wasn't a strong hook, but once past that hurdle, it picks up.
smlunden's review against another edition
2.0
What the? I was pretty baffled that the main character would punch someone for calling her a name but did nothing when multiple people kissed her against her will. That seemed to happen every few pages. Everyone made horrible decisions, and pretty much everyone was a horrible person. So, that gives me no incentive to like anything about the book. It left me confused and annoyed.
clarehitchens's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this one a lot. It centres around Sid, a high school girl who lives for her drumming and doesn't care much about her appearance until it becomes an issue for making the band. Deciding to change her look results in some unexpected consequences as she strives to discover just what is right for her.
I will admit that a few years back I wouldn't have believed that some of the events in the book would happen the way they did. But as the parent of a non-traditional girl, I've had my eyes opened to just how nasty other students can get when their gender roles are threatened. At times a bit didactic, the book still managed to keep me reading and I didn't put it down until I was finished.
I will admit that a few years back I wouldn't have believed that some of the events in the book would happen the way they did. But as the parent of a non-traditional girl, I've had my eyes opened to just how nasty other students can get when their gender roles are threatened. At times a bit didactic, the book still managed to keep me reading and I didn't put it down until I was finished.
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