Author Visit

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    Jordan Sonnenblick

    Jordan Sonnenblick is the author of a number of critically acclaimed novels for young adults, including Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie and Zen and the Art of Faking It. A former middle-school English teacher, Sonnenblick often bases his works on events from his own life. When the younger brother of one of his students was diagnosed with cancer, Sonnenblick tried to locate a book that would help her understand the disease and cope with her fears. "I couldn't find a book to help her, so I decided to write one," he recalled to BookPage contributor Heidi Henneman. This decision resulted in Sonnenblick's fiction debut, Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie.

    Find out more about Jordan by visiting his website at https://www.jordansonnenblick.com/

    Jordan will visit the Middle School in-person on October 25 and 26.

  •  Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie

    Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie

    by Jordan Sonnenblick Year Published: 2014

    Steven has a totally normal life (well, almost).He plays drums in the All-City Jazz Band (whose members call him the Peasant), has a crush on the hottest girl in school (who doesn't even know he's alive), and is constantly annoyed by his younger brother, Jeffrey (who is cuter than cute - which is also pretty annoying). But when Jeffrey gets sick, Steven's world is turned upside down, and he is forced to deal with his brother's illness, his parents' attempts to keep the family in one piece, his homework, the band, girls, and Dangerous Pie (yes, you'll have to read the book to find out what that is!)

    Comments (-1)
  •  The Boy Who Failed Show and Tell

    The Boy Who Failed Show and Tell

    by Jordan Sonnenblick Year Published: 2021

    In a typical school year, every kid has one or two things go wrong. But for Jordan, there's A LOT going wrong ALL THE TIME.

    Take this year. Here are some of the thing going wrong:

    -- His teacher hates him. Like, really hates him. Like, is totally out to get him even when he's trying to be good, and is willing to fail him on the simplest things, like show and tell.

    -- He has a slight breathing problem because of his asthma. And breathing is never really an optional activity.

    -- His pet snake has given birth to way, way, way too many baby snakes, all who need a home.

    -- He is finding that becoming The World's Best Drummer in no time whatsoever is maybe not the easiest goal.

    -- There are bullies ready to stomp him when all he has to defend himself with is a lunchbox.

    And all this doesn't even include the freak swing set accident, the fears inside his head, or the funniest class presentation ever.

    By keeping his cool (some of the time), banging on the drums (a lot), and keeping his sense of humor (all the time), Jordan's going to try to make it through the year . . . and grow up to write a book about it!

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  • Dodger and Me

    by Jordan Sonnenblick Year Published: 2009

    What would you do if your best friend was:
    1. Imaginary?
    2. An oversize blue chimp in surfer shorts? (Potentially embarrassing, but hey, no one else can see him . . . right?)
    3. Proposing a plan to help you improve your life?
    4. Did we say imaginary?
    5. Driving you crazy?!?!

    Now you have an idea of what Willie Ryan's life is like when he meets Dodger. It's the beginning of a lot of trouble―and a friendship you'll never forget!

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  •  Notes from the Midnight Driver

    Notes from the Midnight Driver

    by Jordan Sonnenblick Year Published: 2007

    "Alex Peter Gregory, you are a moron!" Laurie slammed her palms down on my desk and stomped her foot. I get a lot of that.One car crash.One measly little car crash. And suddenly, I'm some kind of convicted felon.My parents are getting divorced, I might be in love with a girl who could kill me with one finger, and now I'm sentenced to babysit some insane old guy.What else could possibly go wrong?This is the story of Alex Gregory, his guitar, his best gal pal Laurie, and the friendship of a lifetime that he never would have expected.

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  •  Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip

    Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip

    by Jordan Sonnenblick Year Published: 2014

    There's nothing All Star pitcher Peter Friedman loves more than baseball. He breathes it, dreams it, and works his tail off to be great. Most kids are nervous about starting high school, but when you're the star athlete, girls, popularity, and all-around stud status are sure to follow.Then a pitching accident over the summer ruins Pete's arm. If he can't play baseball in high school, what is he supposed to do? If he isn't the star pitcher, then who is he? To make matters more complicated, there's something going on with Pete's grampa -- he's acting weird and keeps forgetting important things.The only person Pete can confide in is Angelika, the amazingly cute girl in his photography class who might like Pete as much as he likes her . . . Only, Angie doesn't know if she can date someone who can't be honest with himself, or with the people he's closest to.

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