Powerful and haunting

Wow.  I don't usually get drawn into stories that are sad, but A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness was absolutely riveting.  Conor is 13, and as long as his mom has been battling cancer, he's been having the same awful nightmare.  One night he's visited by an enormous monster formed by a nearby yew tree.  Over time, and as Conor's mom tries more and more treatments that don't work, the monster tells Conor three confusing stories and then demands that Conor tell him a fourth one - the truth, the story of his nightmare.  Conor's feelings of helplessness, grief, and anger are laid bare; the monster - frightening, caring, maddeningly logical - is one of the most creatively written characters I've come across in a long time.  Black and white artwork adds an extraordinary, eerie quality.  I couldn't put this book down....

On a more serious note

With a title as goofy as Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie, written by Jordan Sonnenblick, I figured this book would provide a light-hearted read. Yes, some parts were pretty funny, but others were deadly serious. Steven is an eighth-grader concerned with typical middle school issues: his impressive drumming talent, a mild obsession with beautiful Renee, and his annoying little brother Jeffrey. Then Jeffrey is diagnosed with leukemia, and the roller-coaster begins. Their mother quits her job to deal with doctors, hospitals, and endless cancer tests and treatments; their father worries about finances and becomes withdrawn; Steven takes refuge with his drums and the All-City High School Band which he was talented enough to join. His emotions are realistically described, ranging from elation after a conversation with Renee to fury at feeling neglected by his parents, from being "in the zone" with his drumming to worry for Jeffrey. Get the tissues - you'll want to laugh and cry with this book.