All Four Stars
Gr 4–7—Gladys's secret passion for cooking is discovered when she accidentally sets the kitchen curtains on fire trying to make crème brulee. The child has taught herself to cook to escape the fast-junk-food takeout that her parents bring home nightly. They don't share Gladys's interest in cooking, and wish that their daughter would do more "normal" kid things and make friends. But once her Parisian aunt introduces her to fine gourmet, she's hooked. When Gladys's class is challenged to enter an essay contest sponsored by the New York Standard newspaper, she writes her entry as a letter to its food editor. The letter is mistakenly given to the editor, who is desperate for a freelance restaurant critic. Not realizing that it came from a sixth grader, she emails Gladys inviting her to review a restaurant in New York City. The snag is that she must get there without her parents finding out. She hatches an elaborate plan that includes bribing the snobbiest girl in school, getting an invitation to an exclusive birthday party, and riding in a purple limousine. The plan goes disastrously and hilariously awry, but Gladys and fine food ultimately triumph. The characters are well drawn—the snob and her entourage; shy, quiet Gladys; her picky-eater friend, Parm; the literal boy next door, Sandy; and a teacher who brings out the best in her students. Give this one to your young foodies.—Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC