BookTok: Sweet and Sour

@yabooknerdlibrarian Put Sweet and Sour by Debbi Michiko Florence on your radar! This is a great middle grade summer book about friendship! #booktok #booktalk #upcomingbooks #librariansoftiktok #friendshipbook ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

* ARC sent for review.

** Debbie's books are awesome if you haven't read them yet

Picture Book Review: Niki Nakayama

 

Niki Nakayama had a dream. She loved inventing new dishes to try - a fusion of her Japanese and American cultures. Not everyone thought she could do it. But she proved them wrong. She studied and experimented and learned. And she succeeded.

A fantastic picture book biography about a chef who didn't take no for an answer and who creates dishes her way. I love that the dinners tells a story and that no one ever has the same meal twice. Very inspiring.  A great story with fantastic illustrations.

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public libraries. 

* Book sent for review

Book Event: Debbi Michiko Florence

Last weekend, I went to my first book signing in forever. And it was so much fun. Savoy in Westerly Rhode Island hosted Debbi Michiko Florence  and her new book Just be Cool, Jenna Sakai. 

Savoy (picture taken from their website)

Debbi read from the book and answered some questions. 

Jenna's story is the companion novel to Keiko's story. (Read my review here)

I love how the covers match. These colors really are amazing. 

About Jenna's Story:
Debbi did ask for the hair color streak to be wider in Jenna's picture. Otherwise, the cover was perfect.

Of course we talked about the awesome diner and milkshakes. I loved the story of how the diner changed over time in the book and the inspiration behind those changes. 

Just thinking about the story's milkshakes makes me hungry again.

I had the good fortune to read Jenna early and I loved it. Check out my review here. 

And I created an If You Like picture:

Pictures from the event:

Of course, they had drinks to go along with the launch.

And a prize wheel to spin

I won a pair of chopsticks with pink flowers on them. 

And because I loved these books so much, I talked about them when I guest starred on my Librarian Friends' podcast:

You can listen to the episode here.

All in all, it was a Great Event! And I'm so happy I was able to attend.

On Your Radar: Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai (48)

Title: Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai

Author: Debbi Michiko Florence

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Release Date: August 3, 2021

Reasons It Should Be On Your Radar:

* Friendship

* Talking about Feelings

*Broadway Diner

* Milkshakes

* Writing for Newspaper

* Investigating

* Taking a Risk

* Opening Your Heart

* Keiko Carter

I loved Keep It Together, Keiko Carter and was over the moon to hear about Jenna's story. And the companion story was everything I wanted it to be!

* ARC sent for review

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

While you're waiting, take a look at these books.

Review: Keep it Together Keiko Carter

Keiko's about to start seventh grade, but she's not excited about all the changes happening. Her mom just went back to work full time. She wanted to join new clubs with her friends, but they don't have the same interests.

One of her best friends is concerned with finding boyfriends and attending the big fall dance. Her other best friend is interested in writing and the newspaper. And maybe one particular boy.

Suddenly Keiko's best friends aren't talking to each other. She's stuck in the middle, trying to hold everything together. But nothing seems to be working. Should she follow her heart or her desire to keep everything the same?

My Thoughts: I really loved this book and I'm so happy there's a companion novel coming. I felt terrible for Keiko as she navigated through all the changes in her life. But I also admired her for trying to make everyone happy and then for making herself happy. I liked her relationship with Carter. I loved both the dogs. There was the slight romance for two of the friends. And so much friend drama, but I loved the way everything turned out. There are a few instances of racism towards Keiko, which she handles. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. Of course this book made me crave chocolate - and to reach out to my friends. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public library