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This is another strong title by the always reliable Joan Bauer. I love how her books often examine some kind of career and show teens or pre-teens deeply involved in some activity. In the case of Foster McFee, who just managed to finish sixth grade by the skin of her teeth, that positive activity is baking. Foster has been baking since she got an Easy-Bake oven at four, and she creates her own sweet concoctions. Foster and her mother, a talented singer who has always been relegated to the role o
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Foster has a lot of secrets and one is really bothering her. On the run with her mother from an angry Elvis impersonator they find themselves in a tiny town of Culpepper in WV where everyone is in everyone else's business. This makes keeping a secret hard. Foster's escape is baking and practicing for the day she gets her own show on the Food Network. She is befriended by a thirteen year old documentary film maker, Macon - if he can get a camera who introduces her to the reclusive actress, Miss C
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I don't think the cover captures the mood nor the main point of the story. I found it a bit off putting, corny, so the story was a pleasantly surprising joy. Lots of small town characters who are friendly and quirky. The main character Foster struggles w reading, hiding it like a dirty secret, afraid that when the twin kids find out, they'll make fun of her like in her last town. Plus, her mom is being stalked by a controlling and violent Elvis impersonator. On top if it all, she left behind her
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Heartarming and a bit predictable, but enjoyable nonetheless. I've loved all of the Joan Bauer books I've read. I appreciate that she addresses hard issues and still keeps the books clean (at least all I've read so far). I'd reccomend this for younger teens.
Foster is a talented baker who dreams of having her own cooking show when she grows up. However, she has something holding her back - she can't read. Furthermore, she and her mother have to high tail it out of Memphis to get away from her mo ...more
Foster is a talented baker who dreams of having her own cooking show when she grows up. However, she has something holding her back - she can't read. Furthermore, she and her mother have to high tail it out of Memphis to get away from her mo ...more
The story opens with Foster and her mother escaping Mom's violent and abusive boyfriend. They travel until fog stops them in Virginia where they find a friendly little town where they can hide. Foster is spunky and determined to succeed at becoming a famous baker.
Mom has been a backup singer for years, Foster knows Mom could be a headliner. Foster has struggled with reading for years, her new friend in town knows Foster can read with lots of work. Mother and Daughter spend the summer facing the ...more
Mom has been a backup singer for years, Foster knows Mom could be a headliner. Foster has struggled with reading for years, her new friend in town knows Foster can read with lots of work. Mother and Daughter spend the summer facing the ...more
Amazon picked this as one of their top 10 books for kids, so I picked it up to read, and I knew from page one that I was going to love it. Foster was just adorable and the entire town of Culpepper won my heart. This is a genuine feel-good book, that explores some deeper themes along the way. Domestic abuse, war, the loss of a parent, a dying town, unemployment, and of course illiteracy. Foster and her mother are the catalysts that spark change in Culpepper. I'm not sure if it was entirely believ
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Three and a half stars! It all started with an Easy Bake Oven...Foster McFee loves to cook anything, but baking her is true love. Cooking has taught her valuable skills and lessons about life. She has learned a lot from watching Chef Sonny Krull on the Food Network channel. He is a former marine, a connection to her deceased father who died in Iraq. She has dreams of being a junior celebrity chef with her own cooking show one day soon. One thing is certain, Foster can bake up a storm and her cup
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Eleven-year-old Foster and her mother leave Memphis in a rush, driving off with their belongings in garbage bags. Her mother grows tired, and they stop on the side of the road in a small town in West Virginia, and that’s where they end up staying. Naturally, the town is full of quirky folks, including a has-been actress. Foster makes friends fairly quickly, as she loves to bake, and passing out cupcakes is a sure way to make friends. Her mom finds a job without too much trouble as well, so this
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While this story didn't "wow" me, it was just right for what it was: a simple, easy to read story introducing multiple characters and multiple baked goods. It reminded me of "11 Birthdays" without the fantasy elements. Perfect for reluctant readers (big print, lots of white space on the page), this story, about a soon to be 7th grader and her mom who have landed in a West VA town after fleeing an abusive situation, provides plenty of issues.
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Twelve year-old Foster has had a tough life. Her father was killed in Iraq, and she and her mother were forced to flee from her mother's abusive Elvis impersonator boyfriend. Foster and her mother land in Culpepper, West Virginia, where they meet a host of quirky characters and introduce them to Foster's cooking talent, especially the delicious cupcakes that she bakes two and three dozen at a time. Foster's secret -- her inability to read -- soon causes problems -- but it's nothing that her new
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All of her books are very well written. Her strong female characters are refreshing. This was very enjoyable.
What's there not to like? This was one of the 5 oldest books on my TBR shelf - not sure what took me so long to read it!
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Mar 29, 2011
Holly
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
childrens-lit,
awards-schneider
Loved it! What great characters... but where are the recipes??????
This book made me hungry!
Evil, Ms. Bauer. Evil.
This book made me hungry!
Evil, Ms. Bauer. Evil.
Schneider Family Book Award 2012 - great story! Loved it.
Aug 16, 2011
Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2012-alayma,
schneider-award-winners
