Save The Cupcake

Title: Save the Cupcake
Series: Confectionately Yours
Author: Lisa Papademetriou
Pages: 229
Language: G
Content: G
Level: Middle/High
Recommendation: Good Read

Summary:  Confession: My life is soooo not sprinkles and sunshine . . .Hayley's world is far from perfect: her parents have divorced, her mom has lost her job, and she and her sister Chloe are stuck sharing a bedroom in their grandmother's apartment. Luckily, Hayley has a knack for baking cupcakes -- and cupcakes always make life just a little sweeter! But when she and her best friend Artie start drifting apart, she realizes that it's going to take more than sugar and spice to make things nice.

Review: Fun, easy, interesting read.  The main character is dealing with a lot of teen issues - divorce, friends, boys, girl drama, which makes her easy to identify with.  Refreshing to read a book without language or inappropiate actions and scenes. Intriguing and real. (Although I can't imagine my young teen being able to bake like that!!!!!!!!!!)

Close To Famous

Title: Close To Famous
Author: Joan Bauer
Content: G
Language: G
Pages: 250
Recommendation: Good Read
Level: Middle/High School

Summary:  A novel full of heart, humor, and charm from Newbery Honor winner Joan Bauer! When twelve-year-old Foster and her mother land in the tiny town of Culpepper, they don't know what to expect. But folks quickly warm to the woman with the great voice and the girl who can bake like nobody's business. Soon Foster - who dreams of having her own cooking show one day - lands herself a gig baking for the local coffee shop, and gets herself some much-needed help in overcoming her biggest challenge - learning to read . . . just as Foster and Mama start to feel at ease, their past catches up to them. Thanks to the folks in Culpepper, though Foster and her mama find the strength to put their troubles behind them for good.

Review: Easy, simple, good read.  This book sped by.  The characters were loveable, and some even a little bit quirky.  I enjoyed seeing how people from such different worlds were able to work together, surprising even themselves.  This plot was simple and the story line easy to follow, making for a quick read.  This book would be great for struggling readers and anyone who has a dream.

Bittersweet

Title: Bittersweet
Author: Sarah Ockler
Pages: 378
Language: PG
Content: PG
Level: High School/Middle School
Recommendation: Good Read

Summary: Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances, a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life—and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done. It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last....

Review: Loved Hudson .. and love ice skating . . so . . . . I really enjoyed this book. The character is strong, facing things that most kids go through and it was great to see her previal in her own way, although not quite the way she thinks she should. Good read.