While struggling through her parents' divorce, she loses her two best friends, she pines over a crush, and she finds herself the victim of mean girl behavior. Okay, she has a particular talent for baking cupcakes, and happens to be able to sell them in her grandmother's cafe, but otherwise she really seems normal. She's just a regular kid, trying to deal with regular middle school problems. I liked that Hayley continued to be relatable. Besides fleshing out some characters with autism and food allergies, she also introduces a new character who is Latino. Considering the heightened awareness we all have for those with allergies or concerns, the book helped to make the frightening task of such a change something all can handle - even teenagers.In this sequel to Save the Cupcake!, Lisa Papademetriou continues her commitment to diversity. I appreciated the insight of the author and the celiac disease component weaved into the story. Learning new ways of baking, Hayley finds an opportunity to bake her way into people’s lives and develops more friendships and knowledge along the way.ĭesigned with recipes intertwined throughout the story, this book is a great read for a young baker.Ī story of friendship, change and family, “Confectionately Yours” is a fun read. In sharing, she discovers one of her newfound friends has celiac disease - she can’t have oats, wheat, barley or rye. Trying to gain new friends, confidence and win back Marco, Hayley shares her baking talent with her homeroom class. Her best friend, Artie, has begun hanging out with a different crowd, leading to a romance with Dylon - Hayley’s dream romance! Feeling betrayed and a bit confused, Hayley tries to lean on her other bestie, Marco, who it seems had a different understanding of their relationship as well. A change in scenery due to her mom’s job loss and the necessity for her to help out at the family “tea shop,” comes with some changes. Hayley is experiencing much more than she signed up for during her eighth-grade year. “Confectionately Yours” delivers a delicious read with cupcake recipes, self-discovery and new friendships.

“ CONFECTIONATELY YOURS: SAVE THE CUPCAKE!” by Lisa Papademetriou, Scholastic, May 2012, Paperback, $5.99 (young adult)

Taking the Cake! by Lisa Papademetriou