Not only are his dreams of punk rock stardom completely shredded, there is a very real threat that this is one battle that can’t be won. When the brothers start their own band, their lives begin to change: they meet friends, they attract girls, and they finally get invited to join a national tour and get out of their rat box little town.īut their plans are cut short when Rob is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that has already progressed to Stage Four. But what can you expect when you’re the only punks in town? To them, school (and pretty much everything else) sucks. In fact, it blares constantly from the basement of Rob and Nat Rufus-identical twin brothers with spiked hair, black leather jackets, and the most kick-ass record collection in Appalachia. Publisher’s Synopsis: In the tradition of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars and Me and Earl and the Dying Girl comes the incredibly moving true story of a teenager diagnosed with cancer and how music was the one thing that helped him get through his darkest days. Going to concerts, stalking through record stores, or watching the news and screaming at my TV. Sissy Hankshaw, from Even Cowgirls Get the Blues. A literary character I would like to vacation with … Jeannine Cannon, from Be Ugly, because her stuff is inspired and offensive in the very best ways.

All-time favorite children’s book I didn’t write … We have two great ones here in Nashville, Parnassus Books on the west side and Her Bookshop on the east side. And he found success late in life, ha-ha, so I think I’ve found some comfort in that. Probably Charles Bukowski, because he writes like a man’s man, but is touching and funny and beautiful and brutal and true. The person who has been my greatest writing teacher or inspiration is …

My space heater, because the hum shuts out the world around me and lets me think internally. My bedroom beside my chubby-ass dogs, or Ugly Mugs coffee shop in East Nashville, with about three cappuccinos.

The moment you vibe that she digs you for real. My latest published book is …ĭie Young With Me I wrote this book because … It’s the ultimate escape, and the best way I’ve found to gain insight into my own, life and the lives and experiences of others. It’s the only way to carve my name into the void of eternity. Rob also works closely with the cancer community, including the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Stupid Cancer Podcast (the largest advocacy/support organization worldwide for teens with cancer), and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Rob has written articles for Modern Drummer, Amp Magazine, Digital Tour Bus, and many music sites. His band, Blacklist Royals, has released two full-length albums and played in sixteen countries over the past five years. Rob Rufus is a musician and writer living in Nashville. The Children’s Book Review | November 28, 2016

Die Young with Me by Rob Rufus