Children's Fiction Adolescence
Recipe for Disaster
- Publisher
- Kids Can Press
- Initial publish date
- Sep 2009
- Category
- Adolescence, Humorous Stories
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9781554533206
- Publish Date
- Sep 2009
- List Price
- $8.95
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9781554533190
- Publish Date
- Sep 2009
- List Price
- $18.95
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Where to buy it
Out of print
This edition is not currently available in bookstores. Check your local library or search for used copies at Abebooks.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age: 10 to 14
- Grade: 5 to 9
Description
Francie's life was almost perfect before the new girl showed up. She had her own business as a weekend baker whose scones almost caused stampedes, a best friend named Holly and a deeply fulfilling crush on Tate Jarvis. She dreamed about the day she'd be famous and have her own baking show. But the new girl at school, Darlene, thinks Francie's obsession with baking is weird, she acts like Holly is her best friend, and she's somehow managed to steal Tate's attention away. Suddenly, everything is unravelling. Unable to stay focused, Francie's pastry-filled dreams are starting to slide.
Then Francie gets a chance to meet the sexy celebrity baker Lorenzo LaRue, whose toned pectorals inspire Francie as much as the baking tips she picks up from his TV show. Francie is sure that if Lorenzo could only see how passionate she is about baking, he would help launch her career, and possibly marry her when she reaches legal age. It won't be easy - but Francie is starting to understand that although trying won't guarantee success, quitting will guarantee failure. Young readers will gobble up this hilarious exploration of a girl's recipes for friendship, dating, fame and coconut-drop cookies.
About the author
Maureen Fergus est auteure lauréate de plusieurs livres pour enfants et jeunes adultes, dont The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten, Et si je ne veux pas? et les livres de la série Buddy and Earl. Elle vit à Winnipeg, au Manitoba.
Maureen Fergus is an award-winning author of books for children and young adults, including The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten and the Buddy and Earl series of books. She lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Mike Lowery has illustrated many books for children, including The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten and A Squiggly Story. Mike lives in Decatur, Georgia.
Awards
- Short-listed, McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award, Manitoba Writers' Guild
Editorial Reviews
... Fergus has written a character-rich novel about teen talents and ambitions, peer pressure, friendship, and priorities ...
Booklist
... this breezy, appealing read covers personal growth, the sacrifices of friendship, and the mistakes made along the way.
School Library Journal
Librarian Reviews
Recipe For Disaster
Fourteen-year-old Francie Freewater is like most other girls her age. She’s boy crazy, aims to have nearly perfect hair, is a little bit clumsy, and spends her time shopping, and chatting with her best friend Holly. She also has a part-time baking business, and dreams of the day that she’ll have her own TV cooking show just like her idol Lorenzo LaRue.Everything seems to be going along perfectly for Francie until a new girl shows up at school. Darlene thinks Francie’s baking is weird, attracts the attention of her super-crush chemistry partner, and seems to be stealing her best friend away from her. Francie is sure that all the disasters in her life can be turned into success if only she can meet Lorenzo and wow him with her passion and talent – although she knows it will take a lot of hard work and perseverance.
Francie is a fun character, and tween girls will easily relate to her. She’s persistent, smart and sweet, and is without the sense of entitlement displayed by the nameless protagonist of Fergus’s previous book Exploits of a Reluctant (but Extremely Goodlooking) Hero. She knows that she can’t expect to be handed success, but she does believe that if she can demonstrate her passion, she’ll be guaranteed a place in the spotlight.
Francie’s quest to meet her favourite celebrity chef eventually forces her to make a difficult choice between getting what she wants, and putting a friend first. Along the way, Francie also learns to challenge her own perceptions of people, realizing that enemies, boys, and especially celebrities, are not always what they appear to be. Though the lessons are painful, and somewhat disillusioning for her, she does grow as a result, and still gets a happy ending, even if it isn’t exactly what she was expecting.
A strong cast of supporting characters, and some incredible but amusing mishaps give this novel all of the ingredients of a fast-paced and enjoyable read.
Source: The Canadian Children's Bookcentre. Fall 2009. Vol.32 No.4.
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