A review by bickie
Drum Roll, Please by Lisa Jenn Bigelow

4.0

Fun camp story touching on changing friendships, divorce announcement, and discovering sexual orientation. I loved the deep dive into music and band-forming, which will be great for music kids and non-music types alike. Nice shout-out for Bikini Kill and their song "Rebel Girl." Also hilarious description of the Grateful Dead's music as "the musical equivalent of stale bran muffins."

I wish it did not use the word "crazy" to describe "amazing" or "shocking" things. I also wish it did not have a version of "long time no see" and a description of a person "slaving" in the kitchen (song lyric made up by a middle schooler - not interrogated). Otherwise, really good!

Spoiler

There is a non-consensual kiss that occurs in the dark and which the initiator pretends didn't happen for several days. It is discussed between the characters (12-year-olds) as inappropriately lacking consent. As such, I didn't find it problematic once they talked about it. People make mistakes.