After losing his mom, a struggling thirteen-year-old boy rediscovers the love of baking he once shared with her and decides to audition for the world-famous Marvelous Midwest Kids Baking Championship television show. Jack is sure that his new sense of purpose will help him stay out of trouble, so he throws himself into learning the finer points of sprinkles and scones—and hopefully even mending his broken relationship with his dad.
Bird's writing style is descriptive and evocative, painting vivid scenes that capture the essence of each moment. The novel's exploration of grief is poignant and resonant, offering a sensitive portrayal of loss and healing. A moving and uplifting read that celebrates the strength of the human spirit and the transformative power of love, community, and self-discovery; a must-have purchase for all middle grade collections.
Bird does an excellent job of balancing the narrative with short chapters that alternate between present action, reflections on the past, and rising tension... Set in the authentic-feeling small town of Alwyn, Wisconsin, the story also boasts a pleasing regional specificity that's often missing from many current middle-grade books... Young readers will find themselves rooting for Jack to succeed.. A charming story of perseverance and family bonds.
Tender, captivating, and thought-provoking... Bird masterfully blends themes of family, loss, self-discovery, and fortitude in the quaint backdrop of a Midwestern town in her latest middle grade novel, taking readers on a troubled boy's journey to self-discovery... With its well-managed pacing, the novel effortlessly weaves between contemplative moments of raw emotion and captivating sequences that intensify anticipation, notably as Jack embarks on his path towards competing in the prestigious baking competition. With a compelling voice and fully fleshed-out characters, Bird delivers a poignant tale that strikes at the heart with rawness and honesty. A stunner.
