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snillkatt47's review
5.0
I was around 11-12 years old when I first read this book. At that time I was convinced that you can’t be 100% sure you’re gay if you are under eighteen.
After reading this book, I realized how pure bullshit that was. I had never heard of a queer person my age, and I didn’t think they existed.
Melly is a shy, quiet girl, who makes herself heard with her drums. She goes to camp Rockaway with her best friend Olivia whom she is growing apart from, while trying to deal with her parents divorce. Soon, she finds herself drawn towards Adeline, a sweet, inviting guitar-player
I LOVE this book. I’ve already mentioned that I found this book during a time when I barely had any clue what sexuality even was.
What I love most is that Melly isn’t met with a lot of criticism for falling for a girl. This may not be entirely realistic, since sadly many queer people are met with a lot of shit. But I think only showing the sweet sides of a queer love story can be good for someone who doesn’t know all that much about sexualities in the first place, for example a seventh grader. Kids are easily influenced, so I think it’s important to show just how cute and warm queer relationships are, just as any straight relationship, focusing on the love rather than the hate.
Just the whole vibe of summer camp with a crush and new friends around a fireplace singing songs sounds so euphoric. It’s such an easy book to relate to as a middle grader, with the crush-drama and dipping your toes in the water of something that may stick with you for the rest of your life. I definitely recommend you read this, or show it to a younger sibling.
A sapphic camp Rock? Yes. 10/10.
After reading this book, I realized how pure bullshit that was. I had never heard of a queer person my age, and I didn’t think they existed.
Melly is a shy, quiet girl, who makes herself heard with her drums. She goes to camp Rockaway with her best friend Olivia whom she is growing apart from, while trying to deal with her parents divorce. Soon, she finds herself drawn towards Adeline, a sweet, inviting guitar-player
I LOVE this book. I’ve already mentioned that I found this book during a time when I barely had any clue what sexuality even was.
What I love most is that Melly isn’t met with a lot of criticism for falling for a girl. This may not be entirely realistic, since sadly many queer people are met with a lot of shit. But I think only showing the sweet sides of a queer love story can be good for someone who doesn’t know all that much about sexualities in the first place, for example a seventh grader. Kids are easily influenced, so I think it’s important to show just how cute and warm queer relationships are, just as any straight relationship, focusing on the love rather than the hate.
Just the whole vibe of summer camp with a crush and new friends around a fireplace singing songs sounds so euphoric. It’s such an easy book to relate to as a middle grader, with the crush-drama and dipping your toes in the water of something that may stick with you for the rest of your life. I definitely recommend you read this, or show it to a younger sibling.
A sapphic camp Rock? Yes. 10/10.
deborahplace's review against another edition
5.0
LGBT middle grade novels are so important. I've already went on and on about this before in past reviews, but they are. For young and old readers.
I love that the main drama was Melly's parent's divorce and not her relationship with Adeline. (There was some drama about that too, but it wasn't omg am i gay?? drama which is refreshing!) Instead, the support and care Melly received from Adeline to help her through camp and beyond was amazing to behold. Communication! Respect! Boundaries! Support! All shown in this relationship and it makes me happy for young queer kids and teens to have a positive example like this.
I love how music and especially drums were Melly's constructive outlet and catharsis. Melly really comes into her own on the drums and learns how to take up space and finds her voice. Believable, heart warming, personal growth. My weakness and joy!
Definitely adding this to the list of LGBT middle grade books I need to buy.
I love that the main drama was Melly's parent's divorce and not her relationship with Adeline. (There was some drama about that too, but it wasn't omg am i gay?? drama which is refreshing!) Instead, the support and care Melly received from Adeline to help her through camp and beyond was amazing to behold. Communication! Respect! Boundaries! Support! All shown in this relationship and it makes me happy for young queer kids and teens to have a positive example like this.
I love how music and especially drums were Melly's constructive outlet and catharsis. Melly really comes into her own on the drums and learns how to take up space and finds her voice. Believable, heart warming, personal growth. My weakness and joy!
Definitely adding this to the list of LGBT middle grade books I need to buy.
kirshelves's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
fell4's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Made me cry so much. Children of divorce are so unlucky - having your first heartbreak come from the people that raised you is never easy. And in this book it was the good kind of divorce. I liked that too - showing that people can separate and do their best but it's still hard. Change is inevitable but hard.
madelinefmcguire's review against another edition
5.0
Shy Melly only joined band because her best friend Olivia wanted to. And for that same reason Melly is going to Camp Rockaway for two weeks. Melly figures it'll be fun to spend time away from home playing the drums as loud as she wants and with her best friend. But right before she leaves Melly's parents tell her they're getting a divorce and when they get to camp Olivia start to ditch her for a cute boy. Now on her own Melly finds fast friendship with her fellow bandmate Adeline who shows her how fun camp can be. But feelings are confusing; Melly isn't sure how to feel about her parents, if she's good enough to be a rock and roll drummer, or what her true feelings are for Adeline. One things for sure this won't be a summer to forget.
I unexpectedly LOVED this book. It really reminded me of my time at girl scout camp minus the clingly and then ditchy best friend. I'd recommend this book for anyone looking for a realistic fiction book about friendships and growing up. Or if someone's looking for a subtle LGBTQIA+ romance- this is a great pick.
I unexpectedly LOVED this book. It really reminded me of my time at girl scout camp minus the clingly and then ditchy best friend. I'd recommend this book for anyone looking for a realistic fiction book about friendships and growing up. Or if someone's looking for a subtle LGBTQIA+ romance- this is a great pick.
perilouspages's review
4.0
let it be known that i haven’t read a middle grade in just about forever. but honestly? i forgot how nice it was to just be able to read a book in an entire sitting. that said, the main characters struggles were completely valid. this book dealt with a character dealing with her parent’s divorce and feeling distanced from her best friend- with the twist of a summer camp love story.
i don’t have a lot of comments about the general plots/characters- they were all pretty fun. but let’s talk about sapphic middle grades. this is the first sapphic middle grade i have ever read. i loved reading it- especially because of how positive it was.
overall, this was such a cute story. i definitely recommend it if you are looking for a light middle grade.
i don’t have a lot of comments about the general plots/characters- they were all pretty fun. but let’s talk about sapphic middle grades. this is the first sapphic middle grade i have ever read. i loved reading it- especially because of how positive it was.
overall, this was such a cute story. i definitely recommend it if you are looking for a light middle grade.
maycho's review against another edition
4.0
I adored this one!!! So!! Much!!!!
Earlier in March, I read sapphic summer camp romance that fell flat but you guys, this one was so. good.
So imagine this; your parents have just told you that they're getting a divorce. You're angry, heartbroken, in denial and what do they do? Send you off to a summer camp with your best friend. That's what Drum Roll, Please builds upon.
Throughout the course of the novel, we get a heartbreaking & redemptive friendship arc that gets hit my the THROES and WOES of adolescent romance and angst. We go through a beautiful learning and coming-of-age arc that involves lots of music and writing and band practice. And of course we get a super freaking cute yet beautiful romance between two girls at a faraway summer camp.
My heart ached and squealed while reading this one and I think it's moved into my favourite middle-grade list! Would highly recommend this one for its beautiful character, perfect plotting and overall story.
(also, didn't give this a full five stars probably because i don't know how to feel about music being written into stories, but maybe that's just me.)
Earlier in March, I read sapphic summer camp romance that fell flat but you guys, this one was so. good.
So imagine this; your parents have just told you that they're getting a divorce. You're angry, heartbroken, in denial and what do they do? Send you off to a summer camp with your best friend. That's what Drum Roll, Please builds upon.
Throughout the course of the novel, we get a heartbreaking & redemptive friendship arc that gets hit my the THROES and WOES of adolescent romance and angst. We go through a beautiful learning and coming-of-age arc that involves lots of music and writing and band practice. And of course we get a super freaking cute yet beautiful romance between two girls at a faraway summer camp.
My heart ached and squealed while reading this one and I think it's moved into my favourite middle-grade list! Would highly recommend this one for its beautiful character, perfect plotting and overall story.
(also, didn't give this a full five stars probably because i don't know how to feel about music being written into stories, but maybe that's just me.)
fatcathappy's review
5.0
Just... all in the feels. A splendid book about a gay youth and the awkwardness of relationships and an excellent example of giving children the respect they require from peers AND parents to grow.
jmontg18's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0