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leafblade's review against another edition
4.0
i wish the author and the audiobook narrator had done a better job with the spanish in this book. i'm almost sad that this book is about celebrating mexican/hispanic culture and no one in the long list of people who read/edited the book and recorded/edited the audiobook could be assed to check if the spanish was correct
littleredmacks's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
My fifth graders gifted me this book a couple years ago and I thought it was really cute.
edshara's review against another edition
5.0
I usually struggle a bit with books that focus on family members keeping secrets, that ultimately leads to chaos being caused by the family member trying to figure things out on their own. While, A Dash of Trouble, has this element, I found it easy to settle into and at no point was I seething because of all the secrecy. The secrets, Leo’s actions, and the conclusion, fit well together, without being too frustrating or over the top.
While some of what Leo got into was slightly maddening, her reasoning behind it all was believable and understandable. Leo was desperate to prove herself to her family, help her friends, and learn magic. Anna Meriano, did a great job, of blending it all together. I loved the bond that Leo’s family had, even with, the secrets and squabbles.
It’s also interesting when an author is able to include mature topics like death and grief in a novel that is lighthearted. Anna Meriano was able to includethese topics without changing the expected mood of the novel. This was well written, nicely paced, heartwarming and fun. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series. (I also want to try a few of those recipes.)
While some of what Leo got into was slightly maddening, her reasoning behind it all was believable and understandable. Leo was desperate to prove herself to her family, help her friends, and learn magic. Anna Meriano, did a great job, of blending it all together. I loved the bond that Leo’s family had, even with, the secrets and squabbles.
It’s also interesting when an author is able to include mature topics like death and grief in a novel that is lighthearted. Anna Meriano was able to includethese topics without changing the expected mood of the novel. This was well written, nicely paced, heartwarming and fun. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series. (I also want to try a few of those recipes.)
thegayone22's review against another edition
4.0
this is a great book, it's so fun!! I love baking so the thought of baking to make spells is amazing!
brittster622's review against another edition
4.0
What a fun whimsical middle grade story!
I loved the idea of magic paired with baking. It just added a unique element to the story. It was also neat to see the Hispanic heritage of the main character’s family woven throughout the story. As a non-Spanish speaker myself, It was nice that the MC didn’t know a bunch of Spanish so we were trying to decipher some of the recipes and conversations she “overheard” together.
Our girl was just a determined little thing and that determined spirit in her kept me engaged as I wanted her to accomplish her goals as much as she did!
I loved the idea of magic paired with baking. It just added a unique element to the story. It was also neat to see the Hispanic heritage of the main character’s family woven throughout the story. As a non-Spanish speaker myself, It was nice that the MC didn’t know a bunch of Spanish so we were trying to decipher some of the recipes and conversations she “overheard” together.
Our girl was just a determined little thing and that determined spirit in her kept me engaged as I wanted her to accomplish her goals as much as she did!
wishfulfillment's review against another edition
3.0
Why You Might Bump This Up On Your TBR:
The Mexican representation seemed well done to me (but I'm not Mexican). I liked how the author used Spanish words without translating them. I appreciated the hardcore girl power in terms of sisterhood and female friendship. The magic system and the characters/family dynamics were the best part for me, since they were layered and I wanted even more information about them. I also appreciated how the author was able to write healthy parents while still including the "what am I going to do??" conflict that young protagonists experience when they don't have parental assistance.
Why You Might Bump This Down On Your TBR:
There were only two problematic lines that could easily been cut out. One of them normalized violence and another one was about Leo thinking she's "bad" because she acted in a way her mother didn't approve of. (Why is this a problem? Because there are no bad people, only bad behaviors.) But these two tiny lines were definitely not enough to take any stars off. This work was almost perfect in terms of reader health. My issue with the work was more about the pleasure. While on paper I liked everything about this, I did not emotionally enjoy it enough. And while I technically liked the premise, I thought the plot was choppy and inorganic. I won't be continuing on with the series.
The Mexican representation seemed well done to me (but I'm not Mexican). I liked how the author used Spanish words without translating them. I appreciated the hardcore girl power in terms of sisterhood and female friendship. The magic system and the characters/family dynamics were the best part for me, since they were layered and I wanted even more information about them. I also appreciated how the author was able to write healthy parents while still including the "what am I going to do??" conflict that young protagonists experience when they don't have parental assistance.
Why You Might Bump This Down On Your TBR:
There were only two problematic lines that could easily been cut out. One of them normalized violence and another one was about Leo thinking she's "bad" because she acted in a way her mother didn't approve of. (Why is this a problem? Because there are no bad people, only bad behaviors.) But these two tiny lines were definitely not enough to take any stars off. This work was almost perfect in terms of reader health. My issue with the work was more about the pleasure. While on paper I liked everything about this, I did not emotionally enjoy it enough. And while I technically liked the premise, I thought the plot was choppy and inorganic. I won't be continuing on with the series.
9queenbee9's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.0
Such a lovely story about magic, growth, family and learning the consequences of our actions. I highly recommend this book 🥰
summer_winter's review against another edition
3.0
A very cute and easy read about magic, baking, friendship and family.
bickie's review against another edition
3.0
Leo(nora) is the 5th daughter in a long line of bakers. When she learns (through spying) that the bakers are actually also brujas, she decides to try some magic herself to help a beloved friend. What could possibly go wrong?
This is a fun book with strong family relationships in Leo's, Caroline's, and Brent's families. I wish that we had learned more about why Brent was mean about Caroline's letter (that was never really resolved). I think this will be popular with a variety of our students and look forward to their reactions. Best for grades 3-5.
This is a fun book with strong family relationships in Leo's, Caroline's, and Brent's families. I wish that we had learned more about why Brent was mean about Caroline's letter (that was never really resolved). I think this will be popular with a variety of our students and look forward to their reactions. Best for grades 3-5.
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This delightful middle-grade story reflects the challenges of growing up and feeling left behind. Leo is a bit jealous when her mom and sisters leave her out of the family business, and she’s downright hurt when she realizes they’ve been keeping secrets from her. But Leo’s discovery of just what those secrets are changes her life forever—she finds out that her family bakery is cooking up more than delectable treats. They’re serving magic! Of course, when she finds a magical recipe book, she can’t help but test it out to see if she has magic too.
Things go all sorts of wrong when Leo uses magic, and she struggles between wanting to ask her family for help and feeling like she has to solve the problems she’s created on her own. I think kids will find her struggles very realistic—Leo is expertly balanced between that budding independence that comes with growing up and the desire to be a real part of something at the same time. The push and pull of these two desires makes for a wonderful book!
The story features Mexican culture, fleshed-out friendships and family relationships, mouth-watering baked goods and the entertaining consequences of magic gone wrong. It’s a recipe for a wonderful book!
This delightful middle-grade story reflects the challenges of growing up and feeling left behind. Leo is a bit jealous when her mom and sisters leave her out of the family business, and she’s downright hurt when she realizes they’ve been keeping secrets from her. But Leo’s discovery of just what those secrets are changes her life forever—she finds out that her family bakery is cooking up more than delectable treats. They’re serving magic! Of course, when she finds a magical recipe book, she can’t help but test it out to see if she has magic too.
Things go all sorts of wrong when Leo uses magic, and she struggles between wanting to ask her family for help and feeling like she has to solve the problems she’s created on her own. I think kids will find her struggles very realistic—Leo is expertly balanced between that budding independence that comes with growing up and the desire to be a real part of something at the same time. The push and pull of these two desires makes for a wonderful book!
The story features Mexican culture, fleshed-out friendships and family relationships, mouth-watering baked goods and the entertaining consequences of magic gone wrong. It’s a recipe for a wonderful book!