book data
26 ratings,
3.69
average rating, 14 reviews
(more data...)
edit
published
June 10th 2008
by Knopf Books for Young Readers
binding
Hardcover, 288 pages
isbn
0375848150
(isbn13: 9780375848155)
description
SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD LAINEY DREAMS of becoming a world famous chef one day and maybe even having her own cooking show. (Do you know how many African Ame...more
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
friend reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists.
Add this book to your favorite list »
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 51)
All ratings
|
5 stars (6)
|
4 stars (10)
|
3 stars (6)
|
2 stars (4)
|
1 star (0)
|
avg 3.69
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in December, 2008
Lainey dreams of being the next Julia Child and having her own cooking show. But first she has to negoiate the reminder of her senior year, avoid being too organized by her mother and deal with the gorgeous boy who only shows up when he wants something. Sim and Lainey were childhood friends and Lainey has had a crush on him forever. When he decides to leave town, he asks Lainey to keep secrets and take actions that violate her mother's trust in her. Characterizations are nicely done here an...more
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Read in March, 2009
One of my obsessions lately is voice -- in that I bow down to folks who create narration that makes me feel as if I'm hearing a human voice, confused, struggling, funny, smart, flawed. This one really manages that, manages to be inside the head of a seventeen-year-old girl who far more resembles the teenager I was than the ones I usually read about. Lainey makes mistakes and missteps that make my insides twist in recognition, and at the same time I feel her frustrations so keenly. This book is m...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in July, 2008
An empty plate hits the stainless steel deck in the kitchen of La Salle Rouge with a clatter. (1)
Rarely do I so completely agree with a jacket flap. But in this case, it is right on.
Seventeen-year-old Lainey dreams of becoming a world famous chef one day and maybe even having her own cooking show. (Do you know how many African American female chefs there aren't? And how many vegetarian chefs have their own shows? The field is wide open for stardom.) But when her best frie...more
Rarely do I so completely agree with a jacket flap. But in this case, it is right on.
Seventeen-year-old Lainey dreams of becoming a world famous chef one day and maybe even having her own cooking show. (Do you know how many African American female chefs there aren't? And how many vegetarian chefs have their own shows? The field is wide open for stardom.) But when her best frie...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Ok, ignore the cover and just pick this one up! I loved the story of aspiring chef Lainey, who doesn't have much going on in her life besides school and cooking. Everything gets shaken up when her old friend Simeon starts coming around again, making Lainey question what's really important in her life. Sweet, funny, and full of great recipes to try at home!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2007
A really thoughtful and intelligent young adult novel that took me back to my own adolescent feelings of longing to grow up but also worrying about what might be left behind. Smart, sassy and a really fun, captivating read.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in December, 2008
this is a really good book. its keep you on your toes and makes you wanwt to keep reading. you cant put it down!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
06/01/08
Laurie
added it
Read in July, 2008
I enjoyed this novel about a high school senior who worships Julia Child and dreams of being a TV chef some day. Lainey is a sympathetic protagonist, devoted to her own interests (she does not have a lot of friends, and while she does all right in school, it's not a major focus of her life or the book). The main thing missing from the book is a touch of humor; it was serious overall, though the recipes and Lainey's enjoyment of food and cooking add some leavening.
The author is blogge...more
The author is blogge...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 2008
While it's true this is a story that has not been told--about an African-American teenager who wants to be a celebrity chef--the actual story part is not stellar. It's not awful either. The recipes are a cute addition but the main character may have a few too many quirks to come across as realistic. Still, as someone who loves to cook, I like reading anything that involves cooking, even when it's not incredible. There are likely teens out there who would identify with Laine and enjoy this bo...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
This book is penned by TadMack, coauthor of the Finding Wonderland blog: http://writingya.blogspot.com/
I enjoyed the book, once I finally got to sit down and read it without interruption. Warning: this is a dangerous story to read if you're hungry. (Tanita says that all of the recipes are 100% tested.) I found Lainey to be a sympathethic character, but I didn't have a kernel of compassion for Sim, the romantic interest/former best friend who came across as a spoiled brat.
I enjoyed the book, once I finally got to sit down and read it without interruption. Warning: this is a dangerous story to read if you're hungry. (Tanita says that all of the recipes are 100% tested.) I found Lainey to be a sympathethic character, but I didn't have a kernel of compassion for Sim, the romantic interest/former best friend who came across as a spoiled brat.
Like this review?
yes
3 comments
Read in August, 2008
It never would have occurred to me that a high school student would have dreams of becoming a celebrity chef, but that's exactly what Lainey wants. In addition to her cooking and future aspirations, this book deals with her discovery that a best friend is not the same person he always was and that she needs to give him up in order to grow up. The plot was good, but typically teen angst. The recipes included were a nice touch.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
08/16/08
Sara
added it
Read in August, 2008
One of the best things about A la Carte is how the main character, Lainey, is patiently, lovingly, painstakingly devoted to experimenting with her cooking. We get to "play along" as she creates her dishes.
The writing here is like the recipes themselves: never showy or overly gooey, but instead, well-crafted and devoted to the right details that make a dish (or a book) worth savoring.
The writing here is like the recipes themselves: never showy or overly gooey, but instead, well-crafted and devoted to the right details that make a dish (or a book) worth savoring.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
The food writing in this book isn't very good at all, and I didn't even find the story itself compelling. I'm two-thirds of the way through and finally deciding to give this one up. I was so excited for it, too! Drat!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2009
There are a few recipes in here I might have to try.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
05/21/09
Elizabeth
marked it as to-read
recommended to Elizabeth by:
http://wordsofastory.livejournal.com/347428.html
None found
























