Jake's Cooking Craze

Jake's Series

by Ken Spillman, Chris Nixon (Illustrations)

Jake’s friends have all gone cooking crazy, but Jake can’t understand the fuss until he starts cooking too. Once Jake unleashes his inner chef, there’s nothing he won’t try, and a school competition provides the perfect forum to show off his new-found skills—with hilarious results.

Genres: Childrens

48 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2013

About the author

Ken Spillman grew up in Perth and has been a full-time professional writer for most of his adult life. He is the author of 20 books including Blue and Love is a UFO, both acclaimed novels for teenagers. He co-authored Magpie Mischief and Magwheel Mayhem, and is also the author of the forthcoming title Jake’s Gigantic List (for early readers). During 2008, Ken was a keynote speaker at the Asian Children’s Writers and Illustrators Conference and a guest of the Tasmanian Writers Centre, the Mussoorie International Writers’ Festival, and the Delhi Children’s Literature Festival. He was a keynote speaker at a conference on multiliteracies in Singapore earlier this year. Ken has compiled five collections of writing, and the major US reference work Contemporary Authors has compiled a detailed entry on his career.

Reviews

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEAUTIFUL!

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the latest instalment of the Jake's series and it is another fun read. In this short chapter book Jake and his classmates are all watching and talking about the TV show, Junior Chef. Jake is initially not interested, but when he finally gives it a chance, he loves it. He and nana begin to experiment in the kitchen and he actually makes a few dishes that he and his father enjoy. When his school decides to hold their own Junior Chef competition, Jake is selected as one of his grade level contestants. He wants to make the most creative meal he can think of...but of course it does not go according to plan! I actually cringed just a little when he talked about his recipe. I liked Jake's creativity and ingenuity, and how he and his family were able to laugh off his mistakes in the end. A great chapter book for children ages 8 to 12. I think this book will especially appeal to boys. Should be in all school and class libraries.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this short chapter book that would appeal mostly to upper elementary school boys, our hero Jake and all of his classmates are enthralled with the TV show, Junior Chef. When his school decides to hold their own Junior Chef competition, Jake sets out to make the most creative meal he can think of...but of course it does not all go according to plan! I liked Jake's fearlessness and ingenuity, and how he was able to laugh off his mistakes in the end.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake's friend are addicted to a Junior Chef program on television. Jake hasn't thought much about it until that's all anyone talks about at school. Soon he too is hooked, and practicing cooking with Nana. when the school decides to capitalize on the show's popularity by having their own contest, Jake enters, with a half-baked idea that cause more than hilarity.

[Sue Poduska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encouraging kids to try something new, this book is the story of a budding chef. Kids will learn about some pretty fancy dishes as they practice their literacy skills. Jake may not be able to understand the various meanings of “rare,” but maybe the readers can.

[Pallavi Ivashkov · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am disappointed. With the adventure. With the plot. And worst: with Chris' illustrations!
Not what you expect from the series after experiencing all the awesomeness in the previous books~

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet, probably appealing to upper primary school boys.