The Beat I Drum Audiobook By Dusti Bowling cover art

The Beat I Drum

Life of a Cactus

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The Beat I Drum

By: Dusti Bowling
Narrated by: Matt Godfrey
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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.

©2025 Dusti Bowling (P)2025 Tantor Media Growing Up & Facts of Life Literature & Fiction Social & Life Skills
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In my opinion, it’s better than the first two books and that’s a lot coming from me. This is was an epic book.

Best book ever

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This book was amazing, so cool to see Connors pov. some cute and very appropriate romance, overcoming bullying, and being there for your friends. Highly recommend!

A must listen!

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This book fills my heart and right away makes its way into my heart, I feel like I AM Connor in this story I feel like I’m in his shoes like I feel what he feels at every time all the time, the surprise and the excitement that comes with this one of a kind book is something you can’t find anywhere else so what Im trying to say is that this is a must read!

What a beautiful picture this story makes out of the words said.

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I was a little skeptical about this book being about Connor but I think I actually liked it better than the first two! The writing continues to be amazing, and I think 1st person is a really interesting way of writing and Dusti Bowling is really great at it!

A great addition!

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I like the story and that Connor played in front of people at the very end

Mostly the way Connor felt

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