Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie Books

Read Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie first. After Ever After moves the focus from older brother Steven to Jeffrey several years later, after Jeffrey's cancer treatment, and continues the Alper family's story.

Sources: Scholastic's official catalog description.

Cancer is central to both books. They include diagnosis, chemotherapy, hospital visits, fear of death, lasting treatment effects, a friend's serious illness, and the strain illness places on siblings, parents, school, and finances. The emotions can be intense even though humor and hope remain important.

There is middle-school bullying, crushes, kissing, and some rude language. Music, friendship, family loyalty, and an honest look at life after treatment make these strong shared reads for families prepared to discuss serious illness.