Books › Drum dream girl
Drum dream girl
44 pages
A vibrant, rhythmic celebration of a young girl who beats the odds to make her own music.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like listening to a heartbeat that slowly builds into a vibrant, island-wide symphony. The text flows with a brisk, syncopated rhythm, mimicking the very congas and timbales the protagonist longs to play. It immerses the reader in a sun-drenched, musical atmosphere where every page hums with suppressed energy and quiet determination. The lyrical free verse is both gentle and propulsive, carrying an earnest, uplifting tone that champions perseverance in the face of outdated rules. It is a deeply hopeful experience, tracing an emotional arc from silent longing to triumphant, joyful noise. Perfect for young dreamers and budding musicians, this story delights anyone who has ever been told their passion doesn't belong to them, offering a colorful, rhythmic invitation to play loud.
- Mood
- vibrant
- musical
- hopeful
- sun-drenched
- Tone
- earnest
- uplifting
- rhythmic
- celebratory
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- breaking gender barriers · the power of music · pursuing a dream · perseverance · cultural heritage
- The writing
- Lyrical, rhythmic free verse that mimics the syncopated beats of congas and bongos.
- The arc
- Moves from the quiet, suppressed longing of a hidden passion to a loud, joyous, and triumphant public celebration.
- Who it's for
- Young dreamers, budding musicians, and anyone who needs a gentle but firm push to challenge the word 'no'.
Content notes
- historical sexism
About the book
Follows a young Cuban girl in the 1930s as she strives to become a drummer, despite being continually reminded that only boys play the drums, and that there's never been a female drummer in Cuba. Includes note about Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, who inspired the story, and Anacaona, the all-girl dance band she formed with her sisters.
Description from Open Library.
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