Jeffrey isn't a little boy with cancer anymore. He's a teen who's in remission, but life still feels fragile. The aftereffects of treatment have left Jeffrey with an inability to be a great student or to walk without limping. His parents still worry about him. His older brother, Steven, lost it and took off to Africa to be in a drumming circle and "find himself." Jeffrey has a little soul searching to do, too, which begins with his escalating anger at Steven, an old friend who is keeping something secret, and a girl who is way out of his league but who thinks he's cute.

 

This book is the winner of numerous awards. It was recognised in the Middle Grade category by the Young Hoosier Book Award. It was recognised by the Carolyn W Field Award. It also was recognised in the Intermediate category by the Sequoyah Book Award. It was recognised in the Middle School category by the Schneider Family Book Award. Also it was recognised in the YA category by the Golden Sower Award. It was recognised by the Georgia Children's Book Award. It was recognised by the Iowa Teen Award. It was recognised in the Ages 10-14 Years category by the Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens. It was recognised by the Texas Lone Star. It was recognised in the Middle School category by the Volunteer State Book Award.

This book has been graded for interest at 11-15 years.

There are 260 pages in this book. This book was published 2010 by Scholastic US .

Jordan Sonnenblick is the author of the acclaimed DRUMS, GIRLS, & DANGEROUS PIE, NOTES FROM THE MIDNIGHT DRIVER, ZEN AND THE ART OF FAKING IT, and the sequel to DRUMS called AFTER EVER AFTER. He lives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with his wife and two children.