I love being surprised by a book. This is a book about a kid with Tourette's and it's a book about a kid dealing with his parents splitting up and it's about generational trauma and the importance of music to life and living out your dreams even if you have to wait-- I probably left something out. It doesn't feel like it's hitting you with a lot but there are so many issues dealt with so beautifully. Thanks to NetGalley I got to listen to the audiobook and the narration is wonderful.

Absolutely love the way Dusti Bowling draws you in and makes you care for all her characters. This is Connor’s story. This a companion to the Insignificant Events/Momentous Event series.
I love how we see deeper into Connor. He has Tourette’s and this book digs deep into the pain he is experiencing especially with his dad who has now come back into his life after 2 years. The changes with his move and missing his friend Aven and making new friends can be all too much. Thankfully he has people in his life. “We all have own drum beat. We need to find it. “

This book can be read alone even though it is part of a series. The whole series is worth reading though. I love the characters in the series. There is always something to learn from them. You are given a descriptive opportunity to walk in someone else’s shoes. I really enjoyed this book.

I appreciated that this author is extremely versatile. When I started this series book one with Aven as the star I knew I would come back to Stagecoach Pass again and again. I have been extremely hooked on this series and everything Dusti Bowling.

This story covers her bestie from book one Connor. He is a young man who seems fun and exciting and intelligent he just happens to bark sometimes. Connor happens to have Tourette’s syndrome and while he’s come to terms with it his life has now been flipped upside down.

A new school, new friends, a bully and a parent who is trying to change you because your ticks are just too much. The funny thing about being a teenager is that it always feels like the world is against you. But what do you do when the enemies are your own parents.

Connor’s book made me scream cry at work. Like actual flipping tears I love the writing of this book and the dynamics of dealing with self identity out loud.

This book made me think and think how could a book for a young adult cover so much anguish or pain. There is conscious awareness of the individuals’ disabilities, love of a new hobby, divorce, verbal abuse, friendship, bullying, new love and a deep rooted pain that I’m now permanently walking around with in my stomach. What the fluff this book was just so darn good.

Great audio adaptation of an excellent novel! You truly feel for Connor and narrator does a great job adding to the drum language and providing an auditory experience.

Book 3 in the Life of a Cactus MG series.
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Connor is dreading the first day of school. His mom moved him across town, away from his best friend, Aven, so that he could be closer to the dad that abandoned them. His Tourette Syndrome is what worries him the most, as most kids won’t know what to do about his tics and barking. But on the first day he meets a girl who also has Tourette’s, and her two friends, welcome Connor into their circle. He also starts taking music lessons to help with his tics and realizes he loves playing the drums. Connor isn’t sure how to handle his absentee father now reappearing in his life, as well as a new bully in school. Will he be able to find a balance in his new life?
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I loved returning to this world. Learning more about Connor, his Tourette’s and a friend who has OCD and another with body image issues was great representation and will allows students to connect with the new cast of characters Bowling introduces with Connor’s story.

CW: parental abandonment, bullying, violence, ableism, animal death (off page), child abuse, emotional abuse, OCD, medical content, grief, death of a parent, classism

Not the same magic as books 1 and 2 for me.

Phew, it's been a while since a MG book made me cry, but this book had me all up in my feels. 

If you're familiar with Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, you'll remember Connor as Aven's loyal best friend. He helps Aven solve a mystery at Stagecoach Pass; her home that also happens to be a western theme park. 

In The Beat I Drum, we're pulled into Connor's new world. In a new city, a new apartment, and a new school, he is struggling to find the strength to start over, and doesn't know how the kids at his new school will respond to his Tourette Syndrome and barking tics. Not to mention, his dad is also trying to get back into Connor's life after being MIA for almost two years. 

As Connor begins to find his way, he discovers: the power of friendship, the sweetness of a first love, trust with a caring teacher, the healing power of music, and transformative forgiveness.  
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While I can't relate to the struggle of having a disability, I felt so deeply the turbulent relationship he felt with his father.

 His dad hurt him so strongly with his words and actions, abandoned Connor and his mom, and then one day decided that he wanted to try again. From a parental standpoint, I can empathize with Connor's dad, but I also know what it feels like to be in Connor's shoes, and feel hesitant to trust again. 

Bowling does such an incredible job of writing from both perspectives, and brings readers a story full of hope and redemption

My sons thoughts: It was good. Just like the other books in the series it has a good message and good audio narrator. Would definitely recommend to friends.

The third book in the Cactus series by Dusti Bowling is great for loyal readers and newcomers like myself. The friendship and resilience that the first two books in the series are known for is present in The Beat I Drum with a new cast of characters. The charm, whimsy, and acceptance of the kids who also love to perform reminds me a bit of Moonrise Kingdom.

As many of my students enjoy audiobooks, it is awesome to have the book in audio format. This will be a popular choice!

Of course, there are tough, true topics that will give readers a window or a mirror into their own challenges. Connor, the main character, has Tourettes and among his tics are barking, and spitting when he eats. Social suicide for middle school. Thankfully he finds his tribe, including another friend who has Tourettes, a love interest who has a hemangioma birthmark that she is self conscious about. Another friend, Keanu, rounds out the group. However, they also have to contend with a bully, absent or divorced parents, and trying to fit in.

This was such a heartfelt book with so many great topics for discussion. I would love to share this in a book club. I highly recommend it for schools and libraries.

This is a lovely companion to the Life of a Cactus series. It's been a while since I've read the other books, but I think it takes place at the same time as the second book. I do not think it is necessary to read those books before this one.

It's wonderful to see Connor's new friendships grow, but I wasn't a big fan of his relationship with his dad. His dad was gone for two years and was suddenly back and everybody expected Connor to be happy about it, even though his dad said something devastating to him. It took over 80% of the book before Connor got an apology, and it is messed up that it took that long.

Despite that, I enjoyed listening to Connor find his footing in high school and discover the soothing power the drums have on his Tourette's.

Like everything Dusti Bowling has written, this was, overall, great, and I anticipate more from her in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an audio review copy.

The Beat I Drum is Connor's story. After moving with his mom so that he will be closer to his dad, Connor has to start over at a new middle school. His Tourette's syndrome brings out some bullies but he also makes a great group of friends. But is Aven jealous? And Connor discovers how much he loves drumming.

This is a heartwarming middle grade novel for a slightly older audience. I would not recommend it for students in elementary but I think it is a great fit for middle schools.

The audio was well done and I enjoyed the narrator.

Thank you to Net Galley and Tantor Audio for the DLC. All opinions are my own.

I got the first book in this series as an arc, and absolutely loved it. I really was curious about how enjoyable it would be without much Aven, and I really enjoyed the result. Lots of emotions, new characters, and a good exploration of communication and forgiveness.

I'm always drawn to books with neurodiverse characters so this latest middle grade featuring a young boy with Tourette's and a friend who also has that and OCD definitely sounded interesting. Sadly it wasn't the strongest by this author for me and I didn't really love the story/plot of it as much as I wanted to. Would still recommend for young readers looking to learn more about different types of neurodiversity though - that aspect of the book was excellent. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

4 stars

Fellow Cactus Fans unite! Connor is starting high school, and we get to go along for the ride!

Connor, of Life of a Cactus series fame, is a lone protagonist this time, and he is facing many new shifts in his young life. Recently, Connor and his mom have moved to a new town, he has started a new school, and Connor's dad - with whom Connor has what can only be referred to as either no relationship or a very strained relationship - is trying to get back into his good graces. Connor is also trying to make new friends while frequently thinking about those he doesn't see as much anymore, adjust to the start of high school, and continue to manage other people's reactions to him. As expected, all of this causes a great deal of trouble for Connor, and readers see it all unfold.

I really enjoy this series (and this writer in general), and this book is no exception. Fans of the other books will be pleased, though they may also wish for a little more Aven because that's a given in all cases. Though Connor is young, a high school freshman, he also reads a little younger than he is, which I found a bit distracting at times. But as noted, the kid is going through a lot, so I'll cut him a little slack on that point.

I'm always excited when Bowling has a new book out, and I can confirm that this is another one to anticipate.