Middle Grade Review: Secrets, Spells, and Chocolate

 

Sylvie Jones has been wishing to attend the magical culinary school:  Brindille School of Culinary Arts and Magic for ages. A long time ago, her mother was accused of cheating in a competition. Now they both have a chance to clear their names. 

 Her mother's been invited to participate in another cooking competition.  

 Many students in Sylvie's class are hoping that she will fail. Sylvie overhears many disgruntled comments. Some of them lead her to discover a plot that could ruin her mother's dreams and her own. Can she uncover the truth about what happened all those years ago? Could her mother be in trouble now?

My Thoughts: I love the idea of magic influencing baking. Sylvie had a hard time trusting people - and with good reason given her mother's history. This book had lots of twists and turns.  Sylvie was very much a rule breaker, with good excuses. Like in any school, you had bullies, cheats, and some obsessed with rankings. This was such a fun read; I loved the class moments and cooking moments. While this book did wrap up, I can't help but wish for more stories set in this school.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: ARC sent for Review

Publication Date: December 9, 2026 (tomorrow)

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your middle grade/younger YA readers for school and public libraries

Hand this to readers: Who like cozy foodie magical reads

Review: Bulletproof Barista

 

* Book 20 in the Coffeehouse Mystery series *

Claire Cosi is excited that her coffeehouse will host a smash TV hit, Only Murders in Gotham. The show will use their coffeehouse on location - and their baristas will have background acting jobs. When a man collapses on the sidewalk, Claire learns it's not the first accident on the set. 

But the star actor doesn't want to talk about it. He sweeps everything under the rug and labels it an accident. Claire isn't so easily swayed. She's got her eyes and ears open. With so much going on, she's not about to let anything happen to her staff. 

My Thoughts: This is one of the longest series I've been reading. I love the foodie bits - all that talk about pastries and coffees make me crave a hot chocolate and goodie. I would love to hang out at this coffeeshop in real life - but maybe not with all the bodies. I loved the TV show scenes in this book. I loved learning more about the production of show. This show sounds a lot of like Only Murders in the Building. I'm already looking forward to the next book.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A highly recommended series for your public library's collection. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Foodie Books

 This week's topic is foodie books. I do love a book that talks all about food! 

Sometimes they do make me want to bake...

Here are the foodie books I've read in the last two years.

What other foodie books should I read?

Review: The Diva Goes Overboard

* Book 17 in the Domestic Diva series * 

Sophie's frenemies mother is getting remarried. At the engagement party, the would-be groom collapses and dies. Right before he died, Orson asked to talk with Sophie about something important. Sophie was going to meet him to speak in private.

At the reading of the will, Sophie was given Orson's antique store and instructions that she will know what to do. Before long, Sophie discovers a secret room. There's a bulletin board with pictures of women on it. Sophie isn't sure what to do with the board, but she digs into the case.

She hears rumors about Orson's past. Rumors that could explain about the board of pictures. What could have happened between Orson and the past? Can Sophie solve the murder and the mystery of why Orson left her the store?

My Thoughts: This series is one of my favorite cozy series. Clearly, I've been reading it a long time and I'm happy to keep reading them. I love catching up with the characters. I love all the foodie moments. The mystery was interesting with the added mystery of the photo board. I love the idea of a secret book - especially behind a bookcase. Looking forward to the next installment of this series! 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendations: A fantastic series for your cozy readers - give this one to your Halmark Mystery fans. 

This book talks a lot about Charcuterie boards, so I created one. 

Although I really love the idea of a cookie board. 

We are creating a candy board at the library this summer. 

Review: Lasagna Means I Love You

                       

Mo's grandmother died, leaving her in the care of her uncle. But her uncle never agreed to take Mo and he has his own military career to consider. Mo becomes a ward of the state. 

At the social worker's office, Mo discovers a family cookbook. She loves the idea of passing down recipes, stories, and traditions. She doesn't have anything from her grandmother, MO had to pack everything in one suitcase. 

At the first place, Mo doesn't get along with the other kids, but the second one has promise. Mo decides to start up a blog, asking people for family recipes and stories to share. She tries cooking some of the recipes and discovers she enjoys it. But how can she have a family recipe of her own when she doesn't have a family?

My Thoughts: This was an excellent story - it tugged at my heartstrings. I loved it for so many reasons:

Recipes

Traditions

Stories

Blogging

Friendship

Foster Families (we need more of these stories)

Found Family

Finding Yourself

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendations: A must have book for your school and public library collection!

BookTok: Board Books

Showcasing a couple cute foodie board books 

@yabooknerdlibrarian Are you hungry? These board books making my stomach growl! Check them out! #kidlit #boardbooks #foodie #foodbook #interactivebook #booktok #yum #cookies #tacos #pancakes #noodles ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Review: This is How I Roll

 

Sana and her family moved so her father could own his own restaurant. Sana loves to cook but her father, who owns a restaurant, doesn't like her messing up the kitchen. She tries everything she knows to get his attention - but he's very busy. 

Now she's in the same town with her cousin, her best friend. Sana thought she was going to be spending the summer with her cousin doing art projects and cooking on the sly. But when her cousin gets a last-minute spot at a summer camp, Sana's at a loss.

Luckily, she meets Koji. While her cousin isn't Koji's biggest fan, Sana really likes him. Koji takes Sana home to meet his mother. Sana connects with Mrs. Yamada. They end up cooking together. But Sana isn't telling the truth about any of her relationships...

My Thoughts: Another winner for Debbi Michiki Florence - this book is super cute. I felt bad for Sana - she has a hard relationship with her parents. They all seem to have a communication problem. They don't seem to include her in decisions - even sharing what's going on. Sana often finds out details from her cousin. 

It's always hard navigating middle school - friendships, crushes, and mean girls. I love the relationship between Sana and Mrs. Yamada. Of course, I love all the food moments. They made my mouth water. I love how Koji and Sana decide to create cute cooking videos. The ending is super cute. Lots to love in this middle grade adventure. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendations: Highly recommended for your library's collection. 

Review: Salt and Sugar

 

Lari and Pedro's families own bakeries across the street from each other. They've been feuding for generations. But lately things have gotten worse - much worse. First, Lari's beloved grandmother dies. Second, there's a new box store in town taking away lots of business from both bakeries. They are both struggling to survive.

Lari is tired of her mom always fighting Pedro's mom. They need a plan before both of their bakeries go out of business. Could the answer be in working together? Can Lari trust Pedro with her biggest secret - that she can't bake?

My Thoughts: I loved this book - I was almost late for work twice because I lost track of time while reading it. I loved Lari's secret of no knowing how to cook. I felt terrible for both Lari and Pedro as their families didn't listen to their dreams - only the dreams they had projected for them. I was glad when both of them found their voice. I loved the community moments - but they were also sad too. I loved the friendship moments as Lari finally found herself.  It also made me miss my grandmother. I loved the bond between Lari and hers. This book also made me want to bake something amazing. I can't wait to see what the author writes next! 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: Netgalley ARC / library book

Library Recommendations: Highly recommended for your school and library collections!

Book List: Cooking Books

 

Yesterday, I talked about Selena + Chef, so today I'm sharing some of my favorite (or soon to be favorite) cooking books

I'm a sucker for foodie books. 

Book List:

Salty, Bitter, Sweet by Mayra Cuevas

Taste Test by Kelly Fiore 

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff that Made me Famous by Kathryn Williams 

A Taste for Love by Jennifer Yen 

Soon to be favorites: 

If It Makes You Happy by Claire Kann

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth  Acedevo 

Top Ten Tuesday: Food

 This week's topic - ok, I changed my topic because I couldn't make the original one work (geographical terms), so I chose books that center around food. And I read a lot of these! 

Some of these take place in a bakery or restaurant. And some just talk about food often.

Bakery/Coffee Shop

Ice Cream Food Truck

Cupcake Bakery

So many snacks

Farm Setting

Pizza Restaurant

SO much food shared with friends

Family Bakery

Restaurant Job

Cookie Bakery

Nonfiction Graphic Novel of desserts

Yes, these will make your mouth water

Five Things (3): Maizy Chen's Last Chance

 

I really enjoyed Lisa Yee's book about a young girl and her mother who travel to stay with her grandparents for the summer. Her grandfather is not doing well and they need to help out at the family restaurant. This was such a powerful story about family, racism, and history.

Here are 5 reasons why I loved it:

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public library!

Review: Pizza My Heart

 

Maya's not happy that her family is moving from New York City to Pennsylvania. She hates leaving her best friend behind. Maya can't believe it when her parents say she can't join the art club which means one afternoon a week.

Instead, she's forced to help out at the store making deliveries on her bike daily. Maya can't believe she has to give up her dreams for her parents' dreams. She's so frustrated but talking to her parents doesn't help. 

She's determined to find a way to join the art club and enter the art competition. Her new friend Devin might be able to help her. But her new frenemy Justin might ruin everything. Can Maya find a way to help her family and compete in the art show?

My Thoughts: This was a really fun novel which of course made me crave pizza. I loved the art moments in the book where different characters worked on different projects with various mediums. I really liked seeing Maya's piece come together. I felt badly for Maya and all the upheaval in her life, but I liked the way everything turned out.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for school and public libraries. 

Foodie Books

 Yesterday, the snowstorm dropped 22 inches in our town. Which makes me want to drink hot chocolate, eat a cookie (or brownie) and curl up by the fire to read a book. 

Here are two delicious books:

Yummy Ideas

Beautiful Pictures

Lots of Patience Required (if you were me).

Yummy Brownies

Great Pictures

Chocolate Knowledge

Baking Problem Solving

Easy Recipes*

* my ARC had the British measurements, but I assume as it's being published in the USA, those will change. 

Both Recommended for your Library's Cookbook Collection! 

Review: Radha and Jai's Recipe for Romance

 

Radha is on the verge of becoming one of the greatest Kathak dancers in the world . . . until a family betrayal costs her the biggest competition of her life. Now, she has left her Chicago home behind to follow her stage mom to New Jersey. At the Princeton Academy of the Arts, Radha is determined to leave performing in her past, and reinvent herself from scratch.

Jai is captain of the Bollywood Beats dance team, ranked first in his class, and an overachiever with no college plans. Tight family funds means medical school is a pipe dream, which is why he wants to make the most out of high school. When Radha enters his life, he realizes she's the exact ingredient he needs for a show-stopping senior year.

With careful choreography, both Radha and Jai will need to face their fears (and their families) if they want a taste of a happily ever after. - summary from publisher

My Thoughts: I really loved this book; I didn't want it to end.

 If you're a fan of Center Stage, you'll want to read it.

What I loved:

The Dancing

Choreography 

The Banter between Jai and Radha

The Cooking and food descriptions

Family pulling together

Friendship

Finding joy again

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public library collection

Book List: Foodie Cozies

 

Yesterday I reviewed the latest Domestic Diva cozy which got me thinking all about my favorite foodie cozies. So of course, I made a list! These are the first in the series.

Book List:

Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis

Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay

Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander

An Appetite for Murder by Lucy Burdette

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke

On What Grounds by Cleo Colye

Not Pictured:

One Bad Apple by Sheila Connolly

Long Quiche Goodbye by Avery Aames

State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy

Clammed Up by Barbara Ross 

Review: The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit

 

* Book 14 in the Domestic Diva series *

Sophie's friends have just returned from a trip abroad - and just in time for the DIY festival Sophie's running. Sophie picks up her friend from the airport. Nina looks a mess and she isn't wearing any shoes. Clearly there's a story (or several) behind the trip.

The festival starts and one of the vendor's is missing her mother. When Sophie helps her out, investigating Lark's house, she stumbles across a body in the yard. The body's positioned to make the death look like an accident, but it doesn't feel like an accident. 

Lark traveled with Nina on the trip. Before long, Nina's house is burglarized in the middle of the night. Something strange is going on and Sophie's not going to rest until she solves this mystery.

My Thoughts: Another fun installment in this series. This series has been a long time favorite of mine and I'm always happy to catch up with the characters. The festival sounds really fun and I liked it as a way to introduce new characters and new people to this small town. I do love how Sophie and her friends rally around Nina. As always their cozy eating times makes my mouth water and I long to whip up a delicious dessert (good thing there are recipes in the back of the book). I didn't see the link between the two murders - so I was left guessing until the end. Looking forward to the next book in the series

Cover Thoughts: Charming as Always

Source: My library

Review: All You Knead is Love

 

Alba's unhappy about being shipped off to her grandmother's house in Barcelona. She doesn't know her grandmother. Alba just really needs a place where she belongs. Her father hates her. Her mother's always chooses her father. Alba's heartbroken and longing for love.

After some time, she begins to thaw. She begins to discover relationships with people and with the city. Just as she begins to hope again - her mother arrives. Alba isn't sure she's ready to trust her mother. But maybe she's ready to give her one more chance. After all, the city gave Alba hope. Can it give her her mother back too?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved exploring Barcelona with Alba. I loved getting to know Alba as she struggled with her own identity and finding her chosen family. The relationships in this book were the best - and they were unique. The characters made this book - showing us compassion, love, hope, and joy. I loved the moments Alba spent with Toni. Alba is healing from her parents and their treatment of her - particularly her father. But also her mother. She's a strong character but also a vulnerable one. An amazing read that will stick with you long after the book has been read. 

*Also love the title

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended. So much heart in this story - making it perfect for your school and public libraries.