olivegirl's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! The descriptions of food in it were so amazing and the mental health rep really good. I loved watching Sara realize she could have two friends rather than one. I also loved the throwback to 2012 tumblr with Elizabeth’s Doctor Who obsession. I did find it confusing when Sara used the word Pa or something to describe her dad b/c it made it seem more like he was her grandpa
embe94's review against another edition
4.0
Great book! I loved how it addressed different experiences and cultures and family backgrounds. Mental health, racism, friendship were all themes in the book that were woven into the overarching story.
summyrenea's review against another edition
4.0
This is a cute middle grade book about two girls from different worlds trying to navigate middle school together. They bond over food and fine they have a lot in common.
dlberglund's review against another edition
4.0
Written in two different voices, as two 6th graders with different cultural and religious backgrounds discover they have some things in common ( and some things in counterbalance) after all.
I thought that the discussions around racism, both subtle and overt, were great conversation starters and models for young people to have. It isn't a plot that is overwhelmed with injustice, but it offers a realistic path for how to confront your friends when they need to be called out for racist language. How to be an upstander, if you will, and that even if you make mistakes (or are afraid to do so), you can do better next time.
I thought that the discussions around racism, both subtle and overt, were great conversation starters and models for young people to have. It isn't a plot that is overwhelmed with injustice, but it offers a realistic path for how to confront your friends when they need to be called out for racist language. How to be an upstander, if you will, and that even if you make mistakes (or are afraid to do so), you can do better next time.
lphel's review against another edition
4.0
I loved learning more about Pakistani and Jewish culture as I read. Sara & Elizabeth were fun characters to get to know and I learned a few cooking tips along the way! Lots of real-life middle school issues in this book, especially friendships, feelings of not belonging and finding your place, and handling/standing up to racism from classmates.
hanny8673's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
darthchrista's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A warm story of invitation, growing, learning, family, friendship and community. This is a middle grade novel and would be a wonderful way to start a conversation about how to interact with different people.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief and Xenophobia
Several times (2-3?) a child parrots negative things their parents say about immigrants, to another child.emperor_e's review against another edition
4.0
A good book I just had trouble sometimes remembering which was which. Like who has twin brothers and who’s grandmother died. But I really like cooking so I enjoyed the food aspect of the book.
morahsharon1's review against another edition
2.0
So much of the plot of this book feels as pre-packaged as Hot Pockets.
natybee88's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0