LitPick Review
Drummond, a timid but eager middle-schooler filled with curiosity, is geared towards joining the secondary school’s marching band. With the help of his teacher and a number of new friends, he soon gains a newly awakened confidence, not only musically, but in his profound sense of identity and belonging. However, his struggle of homelife drains this excitement little by little. As vivid days full of hues in the marching band go by, life continues to become an endless process of self-discovery. Drummond’s journey is well documented in this genuine and pensive narrative.
Opinion:
Patrick Blakley beautifully visualizes Drummond’s journey of self-discovery by using articulate jargon commonly found in the music world. This allows for further characterization and easy understanding of the effortless coming-of-age story. The book’s simplistic dialogue and steady pacing certainly brought for a worthwhile read. I overly enjoyed the wholesome camaraderie of Drummond’s friend group and their day-to-day interactions as it left me appreciating my own circle of close friends even more. Because of its musically detailed outlook and faithful rendering of an everyday life, Drummond: Learning to find himself in the music should surely be worth the attention of many enticed readers.
