Close to Famous by Joan Bauer

Foster McFee has a dream. One day, she's going to be a star, host of her own cooking show. But right now the only star in sight is the one on her apron. Foster and her mom are on the run from the disaster that was her mom's boyfriend. They land in Culpepper, West Virginia, a small town just right for big dreams. Foster's baking skills are soon famous. She's made friend. Is all too good to be true?

What I thought: Well, I've read every novel Joan Bauer has ever written and her latest didn't disappoint me. I think Close to Famous will garner a Newbery Honor or maybe a mention on ALSC's Children's Notable Book List. Foster has a great voice. She's a well rounded character complete with flaws, fears, and talents. I think Close to Famous might join Backwater, Squashed, and Hope Was Here on my list of Bauer favorites. The only thing that could make this book better would be recipes. After reading it, I wanted to bake. A cupcake cookbook is on my "to buy" list.

Here are a few other food books I've read and reviewed: The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler, It's Raining Cupcakes by Lisa Schroeder, and Eggs Over Evie by Alison Jackson.

My reviews of Joan Bauer's other books:
Squashed
Sticks
Backwater
Stand Tall
Peeled

(Viking, 2010)

Stork by Wendy Delsol

For Katia (Kat) LeBlanc, moving from L.A. to Minnesota is quite an adjustment. Being inducted into the Stork Society isn't her idea of fun. Katia's not sure she's ready for Minnesota, let alone finding homes for new souls. Add to this a charismatic guy named Jack who doesn't seem to like Katia very much.

What I thought: A thoroughly interesting book. The Stork Society is unique. The incorporation of Hans Christian Andersen' s "Snow Queen" and other Norse mythology is great. I want to know more about it now. Stork is a great book. I love Kat's relationship with Jack. I can't wait to read the sequel, Frost, due out in September.

(Candlewick, 2010)

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm

The Time: 1935
The Place: Key West

Eleven-year-old Turtle is spending the summer in Key West with her aunt and a multitude of boy cousins. Turtle gets to know the locals and joins her cousins on their neighborhood rounds. They even find a pirate treasure map before the summer is over.

What I thought: I enjoyed Turtle in Paradise. The 1930s is a time I like (probably because of The Waltons and my grandma who grew up during the depression). Turtle is an interesting character and a good narrator. Her toughness makes her quite reliable. The supporting characters are great. The Key West Culture was so interesting to read about. Cut ups and the other food mentioned made me hungry with a capital "H." When the book ended, I wanted more. That's always a good sign. Will we be reading more about Turtle in the future?

(Random House, 2010)

Around the World in 100 Days by Gary Blackwood

You know the story. You've likely seen the movie. You might have read the book. Yes, you've heard about Phileas Fogg and his quick 80 day trip around the world. A few years later (1891 to be exact), Fogg's seventeen-year-old son Harry has made a wager much like his father did. Drive his automobile (steam powered, of course) around the world in 100 days. What's a stake? £6,000 and Harry's freedom to be a tinker. His traveling companions: his friend Johnny, slow with people, but fast with machines; Charles, son of one of the betters; and Elizabeth, a newspaper reporter. Will they make it around the world in 100 days? Only time will tell.

What I thought: A fun, action packed book. A hint of steampunk that can't go wrong. The characters were great. I liked the interjection of Charles' journal entries and Elizabeth's dispatches. This book will appeal to both guys and girls who crave adventure filled books. Fans of Oppel's Airborn series will like Around the World in 100 Days.

(Dutton, 2010)

Sun & Moon, Ice & Snow by Jessica Day George

Unwanted and unnamed, the girl simply known as Lass leads a quiet life until the white reindeer come. After rescuing one, she finds that she can understand and communicate with animals. Her gift is important when the ice bear comes calling. She's asked to spend one year in his palace. She says yes, but when her curiosity gets the better of her, she finds herself on a quest to win back her prince. It's a quest that could end in death.

What I thought: Yet another wonderful retelling of "East of the Sun, West of the Moon." I really enjoyed the chapters that established our heroine's early years. Her stay with the ice bean and her quest definitely give a nod to the original tale. I loved what her brother and his story added to the book. Sun & Moon, Ice & Snow was action packed and hard to put down. I think Jessica Day George is fast becoming my favorite fairy tale reteller.

(Bloomsbury, 2008)

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

You know I normally write my own summary, but I like the one from the dust jacket and want to include it, too.

From the dust jacket:

Five adventurous sisters...
Four dark creatures...
Three magical gifts...
Two forbidden lovers...
One enchanted frog...

Cross the threshold into the Wildwood, and enter a land of magic, daring, betrayal...and true love.

My summary:

Jena, the second oldest of five sisters, has established herself as protector while their father is away for the winter. Jena musty guard her sisters with only her faithful friend Gogu the frog in this work and the other realm. Every full moon, the sisters travel through a hidden portal to the Wildwood, where the Queen of the fairies holds dancing. The sisters enjoy their secret excursions until darkness comes. The night people are visiting the Queen's court. One oft heir party has caught the eye of Jena's sister Tati. Meanwhile, their cousin Cezar is slowly usurping their father's place and he means to raze the forest. Is Jena strong enough?

What I thought: I really liked this retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses. (I've also read Princess of the Midnight Ball and The Night Dance.) I like how the girls aren't cursed. They simply have fun at the Full Moon Dances. Cezar definitely gets the award for the most unlikeable villain. Even before he went crazy over the power/control, he wasn't a nice person. Jena and Gogu were my favorite characters. I just knew Gogu was more than a frog. I don't read fairy tales for nothing, after all! I didn't however guess who he was. Nice nod to the Frog Prince. I look forward to reading more books by Juliet Marillier.

(Knopf, 2007)

A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

If you thought you knew the story of Hansel and Gretel, you were wrong! The story doesn't begin with bread crumbs or end with the oven. Here is the true, unabridged story of the two children, complete with an intrusive narrator to guide through this new tale.

What I thought: Wow! Gidwitz has done something that I don't think I've ever seen done with fairy tale retellings (unless you count Eudora Welty's The Robber Bridegroom). I went back and skimmed the original tales that Gidwitz wove together so skillfully. They go together perfectly. I think A Tale Dark and Grimm will revolutionize fairy tale retellings as we know them. Gidwitz wasn't joking about the dark and grimm part. This story is truly gruesome in parts. I almost stopped reading, but the narrator egged me on. I don't think I've ever met such an intrusive narrator, but it worked (sort of like The Princess Bride movie). I can't wait to see what Gidwitz writes next.

(Dutton, 2010)