Drummond

Learning to find himself in the music

Young Adult - Social Issues
320 Pages
Reviewed on 02/28/2022
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

Patrick R. F. Blakley is a SAMMY award-winning percussionist from Syracuse, New York. He is a music judge for the New York State Field Band Conference and participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2018! Patrick has written two technical marching percussion books and also a children’s book called Drummy Drum Joins Marchy Band.

The children’s book inspired his Drummond novel, which explores the question of why a drum would join the marching band in the first place. As it turns out, the drum was just a projection of his inner-self and Drummond had to find out who he really was inside! Drummond then uses that newfound information to try to fit in and connect with his new family!

    Book Review

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

With a name like Drummond, you would expect a very musical percussionist, especially when the name is often shortened to Drum or even Drummy! Middle school student Drummond wasn’t so sure at first. He enjoyed playing the drums, but he wasn’t sure he was that good. But when asked to start lessons and prepare to join the school’s marching band, Drummond is willing to give it a try. With the help of his teacher and other members of the band, Drummond gains confidence in his music and finds a deeper sense of peace and belonging that he never experienced before. Music can have that effect on you; certainly, the cohesive nature of performing music as a group makes you feel vitally alive and part of the intensity of the sounds. It also allows you a safe haven in which to hibernate, to escape the unfortunate events in your life that you might want to forget, even if for just a short period of time. With an unsettled home life, Drummond desperately needed this escape.

Patrick R.F. Blakley’s middle-grade novel, Drummond, is a compassionate look at the power of music to strengthen an unhappy, unsettled soul. The author chose the uneasy era of early teen years to set the stage. He aptly describes each character and places them in their own roles of figuring out their place in this complex world. Drummond is a very astute teenager, but he’s always second-guessing his decisions as well as those around him. Through music, Drummond is able to find himself and understand and face the sadness around him that threatens to consume him. It’s a simple story about coming of age, dealing with conflicts, and making difficult decisions, all while trying to figure out who you are and where you fit in the world around you. This will appeal to the middle-grade reader and perhaps will help them confront similar issues of insecurity and lack of purpose. I love how the author, obviously a musician himself, weaves in the magic of music – it really is a healing balm.