Reviews

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle

courtneys_shelves's review

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4.0

A Pura Belpre award winner, this book encourages girls to break taboos and go for their dreams. The illustrations are STUNNING.

ainay's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

4.25

pacifickle's review

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4.0

Astoundingly beautiful illustrations full of tropical details and dreamlike angles. Drum Dream Girl is told over and over again that girls can't drum, but she doesn't listen. Author's note lets you know that this is based on a real girl with a diverse background outside of just Cuba, where the story is set. Fascinating! Girl power!

rlbeatty91's review

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On the island of music, only boys can play drums, but the drum dream girl longs to join them. When her big sisters start an all-girl dance band, will she be allowed to let her song be heard? Bold collage full of movement accompanies this inspiring poem of a young girl who dared to follow her dreams. Based on the true story of the girl who broke Cuba's traditional taboo against female drummers. This poem may need to be followed up with discussion or explanation for younger readers.

redmoondiary's review against another edition

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3.5

"and both girls and boys should feel free to dream"
very lovely illustrations

garnetofeden's review

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5.0

Vibrant and fantastical art illustrates a tale of musical dreams.

Rating reviewed 1/21/2023.

meitaeryanti's review

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

Cerita dalam buku ini adalah tentang Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, seorang gadis yang mematahkan taboo bahwa perempuan tidak boleh menabuh drum di Cuba.
Bukunya lucu banget karena ditulis dengan style puisi dan ilustrasinya fantasi yang lucu banget gitu. Dan karena ini buku anak, konfliknya nyaris nggak ada dan pesan positif untuk semua orang berhak bermimpi benar-benar menimbulkan keberanian.
Orang dewasa yang pingin membaca buku untuk sekadar cuci mata, ini sangat aku rekomendasikan.

carissaplake's review

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5.0

This book is about a girl who breaks the stereotype of girls not playing the drums. She dreams about playing the drums, and then she makes it happen. I would have this in my library so that my students can see that girls can do whatever they want no matter what the world tells them.

teganbeesebooks's review

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5.0

Great story about Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, Cuba's first female drummer. I had no idea women were not allowed to play drums in Cuba! This a great, encouraging story for young girls. Read for Info Books for Youth for Grad School.

hanhanhannahh's review

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Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle
Pura Belpré Award - Illustrator Award Winner

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Target audience: Preschool - 3rd grade

Text-to-text: I related Drum Dream Girl to Giraffes Can't Dance by Guy Parker-Rees. Both books follow someone (or a giraffe) who believes he or she can't do something because of what others have made them think of themselves. By the end of both stories, the two realize they can do whatever they set their hearts to, no matter what others think!

Text-to-self: When I was in middle school, I wanted to do percussion and all of my friends wanted to play clarinet. Because I was afraid what they would think of me, I decided to play clarinet too. By the time high school rolled around, I decided I really wanted to play percussion and regretted my middle school decision. Had I just ignored my friends, I could have really enjoyed band. I relate to this sweet girl's dilemma.

Text-to-world: I think every child can relate to wanting something others don't agree with. In Drum Dream Girl, it is a little different because her Cuban culture prevents her from drumming. Still, she worries about the judgment of others. I think all through school children deal with this. Life would be so much easier if we could ignore the judgment, but it is easier said than done.