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snailsforlove's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
madisonb's review against another edition
4.0
This is a sweet book that addresses tough subjects--divorce, romantic/sexual identity, evolving friendships--in a way that's super accessible for older elementary readers. Bigelow allows for the fact that things in life don't always resolve cleanly or quickly, and it's OK to have negative feelings or fears for the future. This is a modern, light interpretation of the "I found love at summer camp" theme for the younger set.
ehawk's review against another edition
5.0
Great ya quiet story, great accounting of musicianship. <3
libraryalissa's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for a review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
Drum Roll Please is such a cute gem of a story! My main reaction, from the very first chapter, was that it just felt so true. The language, characters, relationships, writing- all felt natural and effortless, which made the reading of it as comfortable and relaxed as the summer camp setting.
Second: I loved the way the story addressed Melly’s sexuality, in that it kind of didn’t. Melly is simply coming to terms with her first big crush, and having that crush be on a girl. Everyone in Melly’s life gave her room for it to be just about that for now, which felt very appropriate for a middle grade book and character.
While far from an expert, I can’t help but think how important books like this must be for kids who are having and reading about those first big crushes, but don’t quite see their experiences, or those of their peers, reflected in the stories they read. Bigelow did a *great* job of making such a story accessible and delightful to all audiences. We need more books like this for middle grade readers!
Drum Roll Please is such a cute gem of a story! My main reaction, from the very first chapter, was that it just felt so true. The language, characters, relationships, writing- all felt natural and effortless, which made the reading of it as comfortable and relaxed as the summer camp setting.
Second: I loved the way the story addressed Melly’s sexuality, in that it kind of didn’t. Melly is simply coming to terms with her first big crush, and having that crush be on a girl. Everyone in Melly’s life gave her room for it to be just about that for now, which felt very appropriate for a middle grade book and character.
While far from an expert, I can’t help but think how important books like this must be for kids who are having and reading about those first big crushes, but don’t quite see their experiences, or those of their peers, reflected in the stories they read. Bigelow did a *great* job of making such a story accessible and delightful to all audiences. We need more books like this for middle grade readers!
littlemissstar55's review against another edition
5.0
heatherberm's review
5.0
I have a soft spot for books about kids who find themselves through the arts - music, writing, theater, etc. Love that one of the big themes here is that it's okay - and sometimes even justified - to be angry about things happening to you, especially when they're out of your control. (In this case, divorce.) A few reviews I read mentioned that this would be a good read for Raina Telgemeir fans and I think it's spot-on. Very similar style and tone.
rachelcerys_xo's review
4.0
What I Enjoyed...
// I loved the setting of the book, it was very much Camp Rock mixed with The Parent Trap sort of vibes.
// I really enjoyed the author's writing style and thought the messages that were addressed through-out the book were really well told. (This book is all about self-exploration, friendship and discovering who you really are and what you want to be happy)
// Adeline was an awesome character and I really enjoyed reading about her (would love a spin off book about her character) and how she interacted with our main character Melly. She had some really wise messages to spread in this book and really allowed Melly to come out of her shell.
What I Didn't Enjoy as much...
// Olivia, the main characters best friend, irritated me a lot during this book through the actions she took.
Notes...
// It read older than a middle grade, but not quite YA. It said on the back it catered for 8-12 year olds, however I definitely think it leant much more to the 12 year old age group. The characters were all 13/14 in this book and some actions I don't think were personally appropriate for an 8 year old. Ie/ I wouldn't get my 8 year old cousin read it.
If you liked...
// Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake, I think you'd also enjoy this one. I highly recommend picking up this book if you are looking for a quick, fun middle grade that explores a variety of ponient topics, such as divorce, MS and discovering yourself and fitting in with the LGBT+ community.
// I loved the setting of the book, it was very much Camp Rock mixed with The Parent Trap sort of vibes.
// I really enjoyed the author's writing style and thought the messages that were addressed through-out the book were really well told. (This book is all about self-exploration, friendship and discovering who you really are and what you want to be happy)
// Adeline was an awesome character and I really enjoyed reading about her (would love a spin off book about her character) and how she interacted with our main character Melly. She had some really wise messages to spread in this book and really allowed Melly to come out of her shell.
What I Didn't Enjoy as much...
// Olivia, the main characters best friend, irritated me a lot during this book through the actions she took.
Notes...
// It read older than a middle grade, but not quite YA. It said on the back it catered for 8-12 year olds, however I definitely think it leant much more to the 12 year old age group. The characters were all 13/14 in this book and some actions I don't think were personally appropriate for an 8 year old. Ie/ I wouldn't get my 8 year old cousin read it.
If you liked...
// Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake, I think you'd also enjoy this one. I highly recommend picking up this book if you are looking for a quick, fun middle grade that explores a variety of ponient topics, such as divorce, MS and discovering yourself and fitting in with the LGBT+ community.
graceoc's review
4.0
A lovely story following Melly as she spends her time at a musical summer camp after her parents tell her they’re splitting up. Melly’s life is changed forever by this and on top of it she’s falling for Adeline at the camp.
Melly was such a delight. She was a very realistic thirteen year old that I really related to. We get to follow her as she learns to find her voice and go after what she really wants.
The setting of a summer camp had me wishing I was in the middle of a forest instead of isolation. But alas, I shall live vicariously through book characters until this is over. I highly enjoyed reading about a musical summer camp and seeing Melly learn to be a part of a band.
This book heavily focuses on the relationships Melly has with people. It was lovely seeing her feelings for Adeline blossom, they were so sweet together. But I personally found Melly’s friendship with Olivia, her best friend, the most interesting. I think the book really tackled how important it is to discover yourself outside of your friendships with other people otherwise we can never speak up for what we want.
A part of the book I didn’t find as interesting was Melly’s parents. I didn’t really know their personalities so I never felt like I cared that much about them splitting up. It was interesting to see how it affected Melly. I guess because I can’t personally relate to it that I wasn’t interested, but I still appreciate that it was included.
All in all, a sweet summery middle grade that deals with self discovery and relationships.
Melly was such a delight. She was a very realistic thirteen year old that I really related to. We get to follow her as she learns to find her voice and go after what she really wants.
The setting of a summer camp had me wishing I was in the middle of a forest instead of isolation. But alas, I shall live vicariously through book characters until this is over. I highly enjoyed reading about a musical summer camp and seeing Melly learn to be a part of a band.
This book heavily focuses on the relationships Melly has with people. It was lovely seeing her feelings for Adeline blossom, they were so sweet together. But I personally found Melly’s friendship with Olivia, her best friend, the most interesting. I think the book really tackled how important it is to discover yourself outside of your friendships with other people otherwise we can never speak up for what we want.
A part of the book I didn’t find as interesting was Melly’s parents. I didn’t really know their personalities so I never felt like I cared that much about them splitting up. It was interesting to see how it affected Melly. I guess because I can’t personally relate to it that I wasn’t interested, but I still appreciate that it was included.
All in all, a sweet summery middle grade that deals with self discovery and relationships.
leandrea's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0