The Beat I Drum

Ages 2 And Up, Grades P to 17

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. But Connor’s world continues to be turned upside down by his father, who left the family a couple of years ago and is now trying to rekindle a relationship with them, and a school bully starts to escalate at school. All these problems—with family, with friends, and within himself—build and build until Connor feels ready to explode. Will a surprising revelation save him?

Endearing and authentic, THE BEAT I DRUM offers an empathetic look at a misunderstood syndrome, the power of music, and the value of forgiveness.

“This story was everything I wanted it to be. Heartfelt, thoughtful, and most of all . . . full of hope. I loved it!”

—Lindsay Currie, New York Times bestselling author of The Mystery of Locked Rooms

Connor, beloved best friend of Aven Green from Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, tells his own story in this poignant and heartwarming tale about overcoming the challenges of life with Tourette’s.

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.

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?

Endearing and authentic, The Beat I Drum offers an empathetic look at a misunderstood syndrome, the therapeutic value of music, and the power of forgiveness.

About the Author

DUSTI BOWLING is the award-winning, bestselling author of Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus, 24 Hours in Nowhere, The Canyon’s Edge, Across the Desert, Dust, and the Aven Green chapter book series.

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, Kirkus, Bank Street College of Education, A Mighty Girl, Shelf Awareness, and many more.

Dusti currently lives in Arizona with her husband, three daughters, and a bunch of farm animals. You can find her online at dustibowling.com.