{"product_id":"the-beat-i-drum-9781454957065","title":"The Beat I Drum","description":"\"This story was everything I wanted it to be. Heartfelt, thoughtful, and most of all . . . full of hope. I loved it!\" \u003cbr\u003e --Lindsay Currie, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Mystery of Locked Rooms\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eConnor, beloved best friend of Aven Green from \u003ci\u003eInsignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus\u003c\/i\u003e, tells his own story in this poignant and heartwarming tale about overcoming the challenges of life with Tourette's.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Connor Bradley is dreading the first day of high school. Not just because he is new, or because he misses his best friends, but because he knows the other kids won't understand his barking and tics. Connor has Tourette Syndrome, and every day has been a challenge--from the mimicking to the laughing, the questions, and the stares. It turns out school isn't quite as bad as he expected. Connor forms a fast friendship with a girl who also has Tourette's and is welcomed into her accepting circle of friends. He also meets a special music teacher who encourages him to take up the drums to manage his stress, and maybe get a break from his tics. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e But Connor's world is turned upside down when his absent father reappears and a bully starts to escalate at school. All these problems--with family, with friends, and even with himself--build and build until Connor feels ready to explode. Will a surprising revelation save him and help him find his beat again? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eEndearing and authentic, \u003ci\u003eThe Beat I Drum\u003c\/i\u003e offers an empathetic look at a misunderstood syndrome, the therapeutic value of music, and the power of forgiveness.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDUSTI BOWLING\u003c\/b\u003e is the award-winning, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eInsignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eMomentous Events in the Life of a Cactus\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003e24 Hours in Nowhere\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Canyon's Edge\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eAcross the Desert\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eDust\u003c\/i\u003e, and the Aven Green chapter book series. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Dusti's books have won the Reading the West award, the Sakura Medal, a Golden Kite Honor, the William Allen White Children's Book Award, and have been nominated for fifty state awards. Her books are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections and have been named best books of the year by the Chicago Public Library, \u003ci\u003eKirkus\u003c\/i\u003e, Bank Street College of Education, \u003ci\u003eA Mighty Girl\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eShelf Awareness\u003c\/i\u003e, and many more. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Dusti currently lives in Arizona with her husband, three daughters, and a bunch of farm animals. You can find her online at dustibowling.com.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Union Square Kids","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51186302124306,"sku":"9781454957065","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_a6d5bdf1-1c5d-40fb-ab55-cb7012f2c33d.jpg?v=1744620844","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-beat-i-drum-9781454957065","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}