The Order of Things

April Jackson is a young girl who loves playing the drums and dreams of becoming a professional musician. Her best friend, Zee, is a violin prodigy who also shares this dream. When Zee starts attending a new school to nurture his talent, April decides to pursue her dreams as well and takes drum lessons. However, when Zee suddenly passes away, April is crushed by grief and feels like nothing is the way it's supposed to be. She is determined to move on and help her Papa Zee, who is neglecting his postal route, by secretly delivering the mail. On her route, she discovers a classmate in trouble and decides to do the right thing.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books

Eleven-year-old April Jackson has a deep passion for playing the drums, rivaling only her love for her best friend, Zee, a talented violin prodigy. They both share the dream of becoming professional musicians one day. However, when Zee enrolls in a new school that will nurture his talent, April realizes it's her turn to pursue her own dreams and finally take up drum lessons. Though she starts with humble beginnings, she is determined to become as good as her idol, Sheila E., and travel the world with her drumsticks in hand.

But their dreams are abruptly shattered when Zee suddenly passes away, leaving April in a state of profound grief. The world seems to crumble around her, as everything that was once familiar and comfortable feels unfamiliar and unsettling. Zee's absence leaves a void that cannot be filled, and April struggles to cope with the loss of her best friend.

In the wake of this tragedy, April's life begins to unravel. Zee's father, who was responsible for delivering the mail on his postal route, fails to do so, causing chaos in their household. April's mother starts dating someone new, which adds another layer of complexity to their lives. And whenever April tries to play the drums, she is consumed by memories of Zee, unable to fully express her emotions through her music.

Feeling lost and alone, April is desperate to find a way to move on from the awful feeling of being without Zee. She decides to secretly deliver the mail that her father has been neglecting, hoping to alleviate some of the burden on his shoulders and help him in any way she can.

As she travels on her route, April encounters a classmate who is in trouble. Without hesitation, she knows what she must do. She helps the classmate, putting her own safety at risk, and in doing so, finds a sense of purpose and fulfillment that she had been missing.

Through her acts of kindness and selflessness, April begins to heal from the loss of Zee. She realizes that even in the face of tragedy, there is still beauty and meaning to be found in the world. And she knows that Zee would be proud of her for finding the strength to move forward and make a difference in the lives of others.

In the end, April's journey is one of resilience and growth. She learns to embrace her own dreams and passions, even in the face of adversity. And she finds a way to honor the memory of her best friend, Zee, by living a life that is full of love, kindness, and purpose.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 217 x 148 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780593530900