Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie Reading Guide

We have been reading Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick. As a class we are on Chapter 6, but many students have read ahead to find out what happens to Steven, Jeffery, and their family after terrible news shakes the family.

Students will continue reading the novel and will complete a reading guide for the book. The reading guide is due the Monday before Thanksgiving break. Please ask your child to see their reading guide periodically to monitor their progress. Suggested reading assignments will be given to help students pace themselves as they continue to read the book indpendently. Some reading groups will continue to read the novel together in class while other students will begin reading over novels with their reading groups.

Reading Guide Questions for Chapters 1-6

Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie

Chapters 1-3 (Pages 1-36)

Vocabulary:

ambitious asphyxiated unrelenting

fiasco sophomore

Short Answer Questions:

1. When did Steven's life change forever?

2. Why did Miss Palma think Steven's journal should not be private?

3. What surprise did Mr. W. have for Steven at the end of the Opportunity Period?

4. Why does Steven feel his younger brother is a nightmare?

5. Where were Steven's Special Sticks?

6. What was so special about Steven's Special Sticks?

7. What class does Steven always choose during Opportunity Period?

8. Why was it such a big deal for Steven to be in the All City High School Band?

9. Why was Steven's first emotion relief when his mother told him Jeffrey had

leukemia?

10. Why was Steven nicknamed Peasant?

Long Answer Questions:

11. Steven's first thought when his mother told him Jeffrey had leukemia was

relief. Explain why Steven felt guilty after this.rums, Girls & Dangerous Pie

Chapters 4-5 (Pages 37-63)

Vocabulary:

incubator profusely derange

pediatrician varsity

Short Answer Questions:

1. Why did Jeffrey look so bad the morning after he fell off the bar stool?

2. Annette snickered all the way home from the rehearsal. Why?

3. How did Jeffrey get over how bad his bruises looked so quickly?

4. Why was Steven angry at his mother?

5. Why didn't any of Steven's friends notice anything was wrong?

6. What made Steven forget about Jeffrey for a while?

7. Everyone in the family felt guilty after Jeffrey was diagnosed with leukemia.

Why?

8. How did Jeffrey know there was something pretty seriously wrong with him?

9. How old was Steven when Jeffrey was born?

Long Answer Questions:

10.There is a saying No news is good news. Explain why this was not the case in

regards to Jeffrey's visit to the specialists in Philadelphia.rums, Girls & Dangerous Pie

Chapters 6-7 (Pages 64-97)

Vocabulary:

maniac sheepish chemotherapy

baffled aspiration

Short Answer Questions:

1. Why was Steven confused after seeing Annette in the practice room?

2. Why was Jeffrey's prognosis considered moderate?

3. Where was the awesome piano music coming from?

4. What was Steven's first clue something was really wrong when his mother's car

pulled into the driveway?

5. What are blasts?

6. Why was Steven's mother so angry when she got out of the car?

7. What bothered Steven and Jeffrey about the visitors that had starting coming

to the house?

Long Answer Questions:

8. Steven came up with a game to deal with all the visitors who were coming to

see Jeffrey. Describe the game and if it was effective.

9. Jeffrey's prognosis was considered moderate although after hearing what the

doctors had to say, Steven wasn't too sure what to think. Explain why the

prognosis seemed positive and not so positive at the same time.