ALL FOUR STARS

Passionate for Food? OR Are You a Food Critic?

Gladys Gatsby, an eleven year old, found herself in the middle of her kitchen, caught by her parents who displayed a shocking, disbelief when they found the kitchen curtains on fire. How? Well, all Gladys was trying to do was bake creme brulee!  Thanks to her aunt Lydia from Paris, Gladys' passion for baking started at the age of six.  Gladys would cook and bake while her parents were at work and they were completely unaware of her active role as a "chef." Gladys' passion was so strong that she could not keep away from the kitchen. She knew that her parents would disapprove of her using any kitchen appliances; this was a big no-no. However, the creme brulee disaster revealed her baking secrets and put an end to the kitchen activities for six months. Gladys' punishment included making friends, spending time on the computer among other ridiculous activities. 

Join Gladys as she goes through a series of crazy adventures to follow her passion and find out what Gladys would become.   

Tara Dairman's, All Four Stars is a fun, light read that encourages everyone to chase after their goals. 

For readers in grades 4-7.

A DELICIOUS CAKE TALENT

Everyone has a talent.   Cady's talent is figuring out what kind of cake is right for a person.  Orphaned for what seems like forever, Cady is the only one left at the orphanage until an accident leads her to a special building, an old peanut butter factory, where one person is searching for her talent, another steals talents but where everyone seems to be tangled together somehow.  In this fantastical tale by Lisa Graff, A Tangle of Knots,  the knots become untangled as Cady finds the family she is meant to be with.  
The book includes recipes for each person's special cake.  I haven't any of them yet, but you can check out the book and try one out...maybe Miss Mallory's Peach Cake or something more unusual like Zane's Garlic Cake. 

For readers in 4th-6th grade.  

LIFE IS BETTER WITH CUPCAKES

From Jennifer, Children's Librarian at the Montrose Branch Library

Close to Famous by Joan Bauer 

If you think cupcakes are fluff, you’re wrong. Baking can get you through hard times. That’s what Foster McFee learns from her Food Network idol, Sonny Kroll. Foster’s life hasn’t been easy. After losing her dad, Foster’s mom dates an abusive Elvis impersonator. One day, they pack the car and move abruptly. Their only hope being – to start over.

Life is different in Culpepper, where they settle. But when things are tough, Foster bakes. Soon, her baking skills gain notoriety and she’s getting cupcake orders from a local café. With the help of new friends, including a former movie star, Foster blossoms. She faces her troubles, one cupcake at a time. And by the end, inadvertently, you might have faced yours.

A funny, realistic, and touching read. For grades 5-8.