MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM

Eleven-year-old Mira “Mimi” Mackson is
a baking prodigy from a small Massachusetts town called Comity (a thinly
disguised Concord).

Mimi is the youngest member of a
large family: Her Indian American mom is a successful software consultant, her
white dad is a renowned food writer and critic, and her three older siblings
(all biracial, like Mimi) excel at acting, dance, and soccer. Although Mimi
enjoys creating new treats for her family and experimenting with uncommon
flavors, she sometimes feels out of place and invisible amid her accomplished
siblings. When a new bakery in town, the While
Away Bakery and Café, announces a baking contest for children,
Mimi is excited to compete and show off her talents. Things get complicated,
however, when Mimi’s father falls under an enchantment that causes him to not
only lose his refined sense of taste, but also eat everything in sight. Loosely
based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream and inspired by TV shows like The
Great British Baking Show, LaRocca’s debut is original and compelling. The
realistic characters and complex family dynamics augment the tightly knit plot,
and the mouthwatering descriptions of food are guaranteed to make readers
hungry. Three recipes at the end of the novel (based on the characters’
concoctions) are an added bonus for those interested in developing their
culinary skills.

A delectable treat for food and
literary connoisseurs alike. (Fantasy.
8-12)