Secrets and Scones

August 15, 2018
Scarlett's mother's blog posts are about Scarlett--and they're always humiliating.Mom is a rising superstar blogger whose shtick is parenting advice. This is great for their single-parent, two-child family's budget but not for Scarlett's emotional health. Mom is ruthless, bordering on cruel. Examples of her thoughtlessness include "Psst...Want to Know a Secret? My Daughter's Best Friend Is Really Dull" and "Bye-Bye, Harvard: My Daughter Has No Interests." Scarlett used to have friends (the former post drove her best friend away) and interests; she was outgoing and participated in clubs and activities, but she's become withdrawn and boring in order to deprive Mom of material. When her elderly neighbor is hospitalized, Scarlett enters the woman's house to investigate mysterious screams (phew--it's just the cat) and gets an unexpected surprise: a chef-grade kitchen and a very special handmade cookbook. Scarlett wants to try the recipes, but how to do it without Mom finding out? There's that beautiful kitchen next door. Soon she's making lovely scones and new friends. The irony that Mom ignores her in order to give her followers parenting advice is not lost on Scarlett, who narrates with humor tinged with melancholy and makes the somewhat outrageous premise believable. Disappointingly, considering the prominence of food and cooking in the story, there's only one recipe. The book assumes a white default.This series opener is as heartwarming as a fresh cinnamon scone. (Fiction. 8-13)

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October 1, 2018

Gr 5-8-Young teens often feel that the whole world observes and judges them and knows all their secrets. In Scarlet's case, she's right. Her mom is a successful "mommy blogger" and success depends on sharing embarrassing details of Scarlet's life. To avoid giving her mom further ammunition, Scarlet has decided to become as boring as possible. She isn't involved in activities, and she avoids sharing her thoughts and ideas with her mom. Her friendships have shriveled in the glare of her mother's success. When a neighbor is hospitalized, Scarlet steps in to feed the cat, and her life begins to change for the better. She finds herself in a large, well-appointed, and well-stocked kitchen. A cookbook lays open to a recipe for scones. Baking sets off a series of events that help Scarlet have fun, rebuild her confidence, and create and repair friendships. There's even a new career direction and potential love interest for her mom. The intergenerational friendship with her neighbor allows readers to explore issues of elder care and grief. Death is handled gently and appropriately for the intended audience. The story feels old-fashioned while exploring very timely issues of Internet privacy. The characters cook a number of delectable items that are carefully described; the scones recipe is included near the end of the book. VERDICT This is a well-paced, gentle, character-driven story. For young readers overwhelmed with action-heavy reads, this will be a sweet and refreshing break. It may even inspire some baking.-Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK

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