Shall we have some more food-y books? Of course!
Last week was non-fiction, picture books, and poetry. This week let’s look at all the middle grade, graphic novels, speculative fiction, and YA books that have something — possibly tangential in some cases — to do with food!
Time Villains
by Victor Piñeiro
Sourcebooks Young Readers
Time Villians includes a diverse cast of characters, Javi and Brady are Puerto Rican and Wiki is Haitian American. There’s lovely mentions of Puerto Rican inspired dishes made from fried plantains like tostone’s and a jibarito sandwich. — Brenda @ Log Cabin Library
The Great Peach Experiment 1: When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie
by Erin Soderberg Downing
Pixel+Ink
As mind blowing as a random food truck startup for one adult and three kids sounds, it was just the right recipe of potential and disaster to steer these wonderful Peaches in the right direction…back to each themselves and each other. — GRgenius
The Last Super Chef
by Chris Negron
HarperCollins
For students interested in cooking, reality shows, or a solid middle grade book about understanding and misunderstanding this was a great read. — Julie Williams @ Middle Grade is Lit
Chef Yasmina and the Potato Panic
by Wauter Mannaert
First Second Books
What a marvelous book about the dangers of science but also how you can use it to solve problems at the same time if used right. I love this vegetarian tale of food, family and friendship as they battle using an idea used for profit gone wrong and fix their town. — Kristen
Pizza and Taco: Super-Awesome Comic!
by Stephen Shaskan
Random House Books for Young Readers
The team in this series is funny and easy to follow, with simple dialog and graphics that keep newer readers cruising. While the literary value and plotlines aren’t riveting, it fits the bill for something quick, easy, and silly to get kids reading. — TheBrookeList
Measuring Up
by Lily LaMotte, illustrated by Ann Xu
HarperAlley
Measuring Up deals with really complex ideas about the experience of immigrants in our country, but it does so while remaining upbeat and accessible to even elementary school readers (it helps that Cici narrates from a 10-year-old-ish perspective). And also, there’s food. So really, why would you not buy this book? — Completely Full Bookshelf
Apple of My Pie
by Mika Song
Random House Graphic
Norma, Belly, and their friend, B, are on the case in this sweet story, perfect for newly confident readers. The watercolor artwork is colorful but not overwhelming, with lots of calming earth colors and cute animal artwork. — Rosemary @ Mom Read It
Baloney and Friends: Going Up!
by Greg Pizzoli
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
The author also teaches readers how to start their own comics which is great. — Anne W
A Pho Love Story
by Loan Le
Simon & Schuster
A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow
by Laura Taylor Namey
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Kisses and Croissants
by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Love & Olives
by Jenna Evans Welch
Simon Pulse
[I]t may not be on the edge of your seat, take no prisoners, break neck speed of a tale, but it’s not a story to be missed. For all the heart, all the love, all the self-discovery that takes place, not to mention the gorgeous (yet annoying!) company she keeps, and the uber fab bookstore (with hidden bunks!), this is one to keep on your radar, indulge in, and perhaps share with those you hold dear. — GRgenius @ Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet
by Laekan Zea Kemp
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling
by Wai Chim
Scholastic
Yolk
by Mary H. K. Choi
Simon & Schuster
