- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Kids Can Press (Sep 1 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1554533201
- ISBN-13: 978-1554533206
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 13.2 x 2 cm
- Shipping Weight: 249 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #556,544 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Review
... Fergus has written a character-rich novel about teen talents and ambitions, peer pressure, friendship, and priorities ...
... this breezy, appealing read covers personal growth, the sacrifices of friendship, and the mistakes made along the way.
... this breezy, appealing read covers personal growth, the sacrifices of friendship, and the mistakes made along the way.
Product Description
Francie's life was almost perfect before the new girl showed up. She had her own business as a weekend baker whose scones almost caused stampedes, a best friend named Holly and a deeply fulfilling crush on Tate Jarvis. She dreamed about the day she'd be famous and have her own baking show. But the new girl at school, Darlene, thinks Francie's obsession with baking is weird, she acts like Holly is her best friend, and she's somehow managed to steal Tate's attention away. Suddenly, everything is unravelling. Unable to stay focused, Francie's pastry-filled dreams are starting to slide. Then Francie gets a chance to meet the sexy celebrity baker Lorenzo LaRue, whose toned pectorals inspire Francie as much as the baking tips she picks up from his TV show. Francie is sure that if Lorenzo could only see how passionate she is about baking, he would help launch her career, and possibly marry her when she reaches legal age. It won't be easy - but Francie is starting to understand that although trying won't guarantee success, quitting will guarantee failure. Young readers will gobble up this hilarious exploration of a girl's recipes for friendship, dating, fame and coconut-drop cookies.
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Love, Friendship and Fame,
By
This review is from: Recipe for Disaster (Hardcover)
Francie Freewater is 13 (but ever-so-close to 14) years old. She is passionate about three things: her friendship with her best friend Holly; baking; and sexy celebrity baker Lorenzo LaRue.Francie and her family live above her parents' struggling café. Despite her knowledge that it's difficult to make ends meet in the business, Francie dreams of becoming a celebrity baker like Lorenzo: she fantasizes about having her own TV show and cookbooks. In the meantime, the treats she bakes for the café fly off the counter. When a contest is announced in which the winner will bake alongside Lorenzo, Francie is sure that her chance at fame has arrived. At school, however, Francie's food-related fantasies are overridden by thoughts of bad-boy Tate Jarvis. She sits next to Tate in Chemistry, and longs for the day when he will once again pay attention to her. Tate once stuffed his sandwich crust in Francie's milk, and it was the highlight of her love life. Francie's life is full of dreams that are about to come true. Until The New Girl shows up, that is. Darlene is perky and blond, and Francie instinctively dislikes her. However, everyone else is charmed by Darlene, and Francie suddenly has to compete for both her best friend and her possible future boyfriend. There are several plotlines, which become bogged down near the middle of the book while Francie obsesses over Darlene and her manipulative nature. However, the pace is revived as Francie moves on and races towards love and stardom. Three themes run throughout "Recipe for Disaster": love, friendship, and lofty goals. In terms of love, some readers may become frustrated over Francie's inexplicable infatuation with Tate. However, they will all cheer when she finally stands up to him. In addition, Francie's revulsion about French-kissing and slimy tongues makes this book perfect for tweens. The message about friendship is clear: while Darlene mocks Francie's passion for baking, Holly praises her work and helps to advertise it. And while Holly is supportive, Darlene is a stumbling block. In fact, Darlene's comments discourage Francie to the point where she is ready to give up on her aspirations. Even Francie's teacher demands that a report on her future career be a "reasonable" one. However, Francie proves her resolve by working hard at her baking: she treats it as a business, has a budget, and considers supply and demand. The message is both realistic and inspiring: dream big, but work hard to achieve your goals. Although the dialogue occasionally sounds forced coming from tween mouths, Francie's wry and witty first person narration is often hilarious. Her intense yearning for earrings and her horror over a bad haircut will resonate with readers not only because they can relate, but because Francie tells her story in an honest and straightforward way. The conclusion of this revved-up romp through grade nine is both sweet and inspirational. Readers will have a great time cheering Francie on as she pursues love, friendship, and fame.
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