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guineapiggirl's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
kelcij's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Recipe for Disaster is actually a mostly-prose novel with some poetry and recipes mixed in (often the poems are also in the form of recipes). The result meant that it was a bit hard to judge next to the other Cybils verse novels - but, still, the combination is both fun and effective! The story centers around Hannah, who has always considered herself Jewish(ish) but doesn't quite know what that means for herself. Her father isn't Jewish. Her mother was raised Jewish but has since left the faith, but Hannah's grandmother insists that being Jewish is passed down through mothers, so that makes Hannah Jewish anyway. Hannah herself doesn't know exactly what to think. But when her best friend has a bat-mitvah, Hannah decides she wants to have one too--much to the surprise of some and the dismay of others. The book explores many of the prejudices from both inside and outside the Jewish faith and the ways in which we judge each other. I actually loved that Hannah not only found herself on the receiving end of that prejudice, but she found herself making her own judgments as well. It shows how easily we can fall into these sorts of traps. And the theme of jealousy is something that any middle grade reader can relate to from time-to-time. So, I recommend this book for just about any middle grade reader!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher for Cybil’s judging purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Recipe for Disaster is actually a mostly-prose novel with some poetry and recipes mixed in (often the poems are also in the form of recipes). The result meant that it was a bit hard to judge next to the other Cybils verse novels - but, still, the combination is both fun and effective! The story centers around Hannah, who has always considered herself Jewish(ish) but doesn't quite know what that means for herself. Her father isn't Jewish. Her mother was raised Jewish but has since left the faith, but Hannah's grandmother insists that being Jewish is passed down through mothers, so that makes Hannah Jewish anyway. Hannah herself doesn't know exactly what to think. But when her best friend has a bat-mitvah, Hannah decides she wants to have one too--much to the surprise of some and the dismay of others. The book explores many of the prejudices from both inside and outside the Jewish faith and the ways in which we judge each other. I actually loved that Hannah not only found herself on the receiving end of that prejudice, but she found herself making her own judgments as well. It shows how easily we can fall into these sorts of traps. And the theme of jealousy is something that any middle grade reader can relate to from time-to-time. So, I recommend this book for just about any middle grade reader!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher for Cybil’s judging purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
hannahsuemiller's review
5.0
why is this book not more popular??? i stumbled across this one day at the bookstore, attracted to the cover, and decided to read the insert. a girl named hannah (hey it's me!) who loves baking (hey, there i am again!) who struggles w her jewish identity (ding ding ding, is this a book about ME???)... i was not disappointed in the least. i love the layout, i love the recipes, i loved the story. for anybody who has ever struggled with their identity in the jewish community... this book was written for us. and it's really, really delightful.
jessbooks4's review
4.0
This was a really cute book. There were a few parts and characters that I thought were a bit too much, but overall, I liked it a lot. I enjoyed the blend of prose and verse and recipes throughout. The central theme with Hannah considering how she makes her Jewish identity work for her struck a chord with me.
kiperoo's review against another edition
5.0
I'm so lucky I got to read an ARC of this book. My daughter and I both loved EMMY IN THE KEY OF CODE but I have to say I loved RECIPE FOR DISASTER even more. It's fun and charming, yes, but it also goes deep, which I personally love. Keep those tissues handy! The characters spring to life on the page--especially Grandma Mimi. I could just *hear* her voice. The combination of poetry, prose, and recipes make for such unique storytelling--just wonderful. And of course, most of all, for any kids wondering if they are *enough* of anything, this will really resonate. So well done. Highly, highly recommend!
msbedelia's review against another edition
5.0
What a fantastic middle-grade book about a 12 year-old girl figuring out her Jewish identity! 5 stars. Recipe for Disaster is charming and age-appropriate, but deals effectively with difficult real-world topics and doesn't shy away from complexity. It was both entertaining to me as an adult and a fulfilling exploration of this subject- and again, somehow still age-appropriate! That's a lot to accomplish in one little book.
It was also so much fun to read. Our protagonist Hannah is full of life; she's passionate about baking, loves her friends and family, and feels a tug toward her Jewish roots that she wants to explore. I enjoyed spending time with Hannah in all her imperfection. She remained likeable even as she made some significant missteps with friends that required sincere apologies, a skill that at twelve, she is still mastering. (We do get a Recipe for an Apology that we would all do well to follow, and which nicely ties in with the Jewish themes.)
Some of the people in Hannah's life - Grandma Mimi being a wonderful exception- are struggling themselves in their own relationship to Judaism and having a "Jew-ish" friend or child. This drives the plot forward. It is also painful; one Good Reads reviewer called out many of the characters for being narrow, wrong, and even anger-inducing. To which I say: Yes! That is the point of the book. Even Hannah herself is sometimes narrow and wrong and needs to apologize. Sadly, I did find these adults (and children) to be realistic. These are real perspectives that the Jewish community wrestles with and that real people often fumble; even I found myself having reactions that I'm not necessarily proud of. To me, these are all strengths of this novel and proof of its relevance. I would also add that the resolutions may not be perfect- just as real-life resolutions are rarely perfect- but they are heartfelt and authentic, and marked by real learning and growth, which was satisfying to me as a reader. I truly hope that many people, especially Jewish children, find their way to this book and find sustenance in it.
But this review has gone on too long without acknowledging one of the biggest strengths of the novel: The creative formatting. Aimee Lucido keeps her plot zipping along quickly, utilizing recipes (both for food and for life), verse, prose, and bits of Torah portions to tell her story. It's beautiful, fun, and oh so effective. The recipes are a real-highlight! They made me want to try to bake. But I especially loved the use of Torah portions and how the main character's study gave her the opportunity to reflect and learn in ways that weren't immediately obvious from the portion itself. It mirrored the way Torah study is taught in many b'nei mitzvah classes and felt authentic, and added depth to the novel. (Hannah's pull toward Judaism also was well-rendered.)
Aimee Lucido is really a masterful writer. I will have to check out her first novel, the acclaimed Emmy in the Key of Code, and keep up with her, even if I am no longer a middle grader myself.
It was also so much fun to read. Our protagonist Hannah is full of life; she's passionate about baking, loves her friends and family, and feels a tug toward her Jewish roots that she wants to explore. I enjoyed spending time with Hannah in all her imperfection. She remained likeable even as she made some significant missteps with friends that required sincere apologies, a skill that at twelve, she is still mastering. (We do get a Recipe for an Apology that we would all do well to follow, and which nicely ties in with the Jewish themes.)
Some of the people in Hannah's life - Grandma Mimi being a wonderful exception- are struggling themselves in their own relationship to Judaism and having a "Jew-ish" friend or child. This drives the plot forward. It is also painful; one Good Reads reviewer called out many of the characters for being narrow, wrong, and even anger-inducing. To which I say: Yes! That is the point of the book. Even Hannah herself is sometimes narrow and wrong and needs to apologize. Sadly, I did find these adults (and children) to be realistic. These are real perspectives that the Jewish community wrestles with and that real people often fumble; even I found myself having reactions that I'm not necessarily proud of. To me, these are all strengths of this novel and proof of its relevance. I would also add that the resolutions may not be perfect- just as real-life resolutions are rarely perfect- but they are heartfelt and authentic, and marked by real learning and growth, which was satisfying to me as a reader. I truly hope that many people, especially Jewish children, find their way to this book and find sustenance in it.
But this review has gone on too long without acknowledging one of the biggest strengths of the novel: The creative formatting. Aimee Lucido keeps her plot zipping along quickly, utilizing recipes (both for food and for life), verse, prose, and bits of Torah portions to tell her story. It's beautiful, fun, and oh so effective. The recipes are a real-highlight! They made me want to try to bake. But I especially loved the use of Torah portions and how the main character's study gave her the opportunity to reflect and learn in ways that weren't immediately obvious from the portion itself. It mirrored the way Torah study is taught in many b'nei mitzvah classes and felt authentic, and added depth to the novel. (Hannah's pull toward Judaism also was well-rendered.)
Aimee Lucido is really a masterful writer. I will have to check out her first novel, the acclaimed Emmy in the Key of Code, and keep up with her, even if I am no longer a middle grader myself.
rbarabas's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Hate crime
Moderate: Death and Classism
Minor: Religious bigotry
rlwertheimer's review against another edition
5.0
Great exploration of Jewish identity in middle school. Felt super relevant.
farel01's review
emotional
fast-paced
5.0
I picked this book up because it sounded interesting, and I was in tears throughout the entire second half of the book. Lucido was able to write from the perspective of a twelve year old really well, and the writing was also easy to read. I couldn’t put the book down and because I cried, it’s an automatic 5 stars from me since I never cry when reading.