The Beat I Drum
The Beat I Drum by Dusti Bowling, published by Union Square Publishing in 2025, is a 272-page children’s book that explores the challenges faced by a young boy with Tourette Syndrome. The story follows Connor Bradley, who is apprehensive about starting high school due to his condition, which manifests through barking and tics. As he navigates this new environment, Connor discovers unexpected friendships and support, particularly from a girl who shares his experiences and a music teacher who introduces him to drumming as a way to cope with his stress.
Readers will find a heartfelt narrative that delves into themes of friendship, social skills, and the complexities of growing up. Connor’s journey highlights the importance of understanding and acceptance, as he confronts personal challenges, including the return of his estranged father and the presence of a school bully. The Beat I Drum offers an authentic perspective on Tourette’s, emphasizing the therapeutic role of music and the significance of forgiveness in overcoming life’s obstacles.
Official synopsis Publisher
“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.
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