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nessarose's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
laura_wilky's review against another edition
2.0
I have a bit of an issue with this book- the mother in this book has an obvious emotional problem that is never addressed- except to tell her to try harder. The way the mother acts towards all the members of her family and herself is disconcerting. A kid shouldn't have to worry about making her mother upset and go in her room to lay down- maybe that is reality for some people but in a juvenile book, it should be explained and addressed for the reader. The story was ok and that is why I gave it 2 stars instead of 1.
beecheralyson's review against another edition
5.0
What do you do when you are 12 years old, and have never been on a real vacation and have never left your small town let alone your home state? Isabel, the main character in Lisa Schroeder’s IT’S RAINING CUPCAKES is facing another summer at home. Her best friend will be away for 3 weeks and her mother has decided to open up a Cupcake Store. However, just before her best friend Sophie leaves for camp she tells Isabel about a baking contest where the finalists will be flown to NYC to compete for a $1,000 prize. The challenge to come up with the perfect recipe wouldn’t be that hard if she didn’t have to worry about disappointing her mother if she turned in something other than a cupcake recipe.
Lisa Schroeder’s new Middle Grade novel IT’S RAINING CUPCAKES is the perfect pick me up and a great alternative to the high caloric snack in which it references. You get all of the feel good fun without the added calories. As I dove into the story, I found myself loving the chapter titles which referenced various cupcake flavors. Really, who can resist reading a chapter entitled “Red Velvet Cupcakes” or one called “Banana Cream Pie Cupcakes”?! However, despite all the fun that cupcakes evoke, Schroeder provides her protagonist with typical challenges – a best friend who apparently is good at everything, a mom that she doesn’t always see eye to eye with, and a few bumps in the road when Isabel decides to enter a baking contest.
Aside from the wonderful chapter titles, there were quite a few things I appreciated about this book. First, it is perfectly written for reluctant readers (albeit reluctant girl readers). The story reads easily and there was never a point where I wished for pages to be eliminated or felt I wanted to just scan it. It was the perfect length and I was satisfied when I reached the end. Second, the main character is some one elementary girls will relate with. Her life isn’t perfect and she doesn’t always get what she wants but the story is positive and hopeful and helps girls see what they can accomplish when they put their mind to it. Third, there are many positive adult role-models in this story and a wonderful sense of community. In a society where most stories ridicule adults, or have them missing from the story altogether, it is refreshing to see positive (though with some flaws) adults who are present. Finally, it was just plain enjoyable. The bring a smile to your face kind of enjoyable.
When I think about trying to rate a book like IT'S RAINING CUPCAKES, I can't help but think of Karla. I know Karla is a name and not a numerical rating system, but if you knew Karla you would get it. Karla is sixth grader that I adore. I know I shouldn’t have favorites but secretly I do, and Karla is one of them. She is a sweet kid with a smile that warms you all over, and who is coming into her own as a reader. She enjoys books with female main characters who face struggles but persevere and overcome their situations. This is her kind of book and I know just who I will be sharing the book with next.
Lisa Schroeder’s new Middle Grade novel IT’S RAINING CUPCAKES is the perfect pick me up and a great alternative to the high caloric snack in which it references. You get all of the feel good fun without the added calories. As I dove into the story, I found myself loving the chapter titles which referenced various cupcake flavors. Really, who can resist reading a chapter entitled “Red Velvet Cupcakes” or one called “Banana Cream Pie Cupcakes”?! However, despite all the fun that cupcakes evoke, Schroeder provides her protagonist with typical challenges – a best friend who apparently is good at everything, a mom that she doesn’t always see eye to eye with, and a few bumps in the road when Isabel decides to enter a baking contest.
Aside from the wonderful chapter titles, there were quite a few things I appreciated about this book. First, it is perfectly written for reluctant readers (albeit reluctant girl readers). The story reads easily and there was never a point where I wished for pages to be eliminated or felt I wanted to just scan it. It was the perfect length and I was satisfied when I reached the end. Second, the main character is some one elementary girls will relate with. Her life isn’t perfect and she doesn’t always get what she wants but the story is positive and hopeful and helps girls see what they can accomplish when they put their mind to it. Third, there are many positive adult role-models in this story and a wonderful sense of community. In a society where most stories ridicule adults, or have them missing from the story altogether, it is refreshing to see positive (though with some flaws) adults who are present. Finally, it was just plain enjoyable. The bring a smile to your face kind of enjoyable.
When I think about trying to rate a book like IT'S RAINING CUPCAKES, I can't help but think of Karla. I know Karla is a name and not a numerical rating system, but if you knew Karla you would get it. Karla is sixth grader that I adore. I know I shouldn’t have favorites but secretly I do, and Karla is one of them. She is a sweet kid with a smile that warms you all over, and who is coming into her own as a reader. She enjoys books with female main characters who face struggles but persevere and overcome their situations. This is her kind of book and I know just who I will be sharing the book with next.
karak's review against another edition
2.0
Seriously, it took me half an hour to read this book. Isobel's Mom suffers from some type of depression (not really gotten into in the book, to keep it for teens I suppose), and is unable to really follow through with anything in her life. When she decides to open a cupcake bakery, the family drops their entire old life and helps Mom, who can't help herself most days. Serious issues are glossed over with no real solutions.
hannahilea's review against another edition
1.0
What a boring, one-dimensional story with predictable one-dimensional characters. Not worth the time it took to read it --and I read fast.
nitedream's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
emmahmk's review against another edition
5.0
Really nice chapters titles and a great character introduction and plot. A really quick read and a great book for the weekend trip.
caledonia's review against another edition
4.0
It's cute, its sweet, its what most 12 year olds should read.
booksforlosers's review against another edition
2.0
I found this book strange although it was recommended to me in Goodreads. It was written in a weird way. Get this: Izzy, the main character, cries when she sees the Statue of Liberty. I mean, yeah, it's gorgeous but what 12 year girl (who acts likes she's 8 or 9) years up when she's sees a statue? Idek
emilymorgand's review against another edition
3.0
Rated three stars because this book would be great - for the proper age group. I wasn't aware when I started reading this that it's a cheesy coming-of-age story about an annoying 12 year old who acted... Well, 12. Don't even get me started on the mother, ugh. Annoying. The only character I liked was Lana, who was only in it for the last quarter.
I also didn't like that the whole book was what's-her-face-protagonist (I've already forgotten her name because she was just that forgettable) complaining about how much she wanted to get out of her small town, then she finally does, and there was only about three pages written about it and the contest. I mean, seriously, with as much as she complained about wanting to leave, you couldn't give us a little more detail? She was in New York for pete's sake! Or at least tell us if she won the contest?
Long story short - if you're a 12 year old, read this. You'll probably enjoy it. Any older than that, skip it. This book isn't for you.
I also didn't like that the whole book was what's-her-face-protagonist (I've already forgotten her name because she was just that forgettable) complaining about how much she wanted to get out of her small town, then she finally does, and there was only about three pages written about it and the contest. I mean, seriously, with as much as she complained about wanting to leave, you couldn't give us a little more detail? She was in New York for pete's sake! Or at least tell us if she won the contest?
Long story short - if you're a 12 year old, read this. You'll probably enjoy it. Any older than that, skip it. This book isn't for you.