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. 

Sylvie must finish first in her class (a six-week course to gain entry into the school) before she'll be allowed to continue. 

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