Midsummer’s Mayhem
Written by Rajani LaRocca
Published by little bee books
Eleven-year-old Mimi Mackson comes from a big Indian American family: Dad’s a renowned food writer, Mom’s a successful businesswoman, and her three older siblings all have their own respective accomplishments. It’s easy to feel invisible in such an impressive family, but Mimi’s dream of proving she’s not the least-talented member of her family seems possible when she discovers a contest at the new bakery in town. Plus, it’ll start her on the path to becoming a celebrity chef like her culinary idol, Puffy Fay.
But when Mimi’s dad returns from a business trip, he’s mysteriously lost his highly honed sense of taste. Without his help, Mimi will never be able to bake something impressive enough to propel her to gastronomic fame.
Drawn into the woods behind her house by a strangely familiar song, Mimi meets Vik, a boy who brings her to parts of the forest she’s never seen. Who knew there were banyan trees and wild boars in Massachusetts? Together they discover exotic ingredients and bake them into delectable and enchanting treats.
But as her dad acts stranger every day, and her siblings’ romantic entanglements cause trouble in their town, Mimi begins to wonder whether the ingredients she and Vik found are somehow the cause of it all. She needs to use her skills, deductive and epicurean, to uncover what’s happening. In the process, she learns that in life, as in baking, not everything is sweet…
Primary ISBN: 9781499808889
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook, eBook
Chapter Book, Age 08 or older
Community Represented: Indian/Indian American
Themes: Award Winner, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Food, Engagement Tool: Arts, Family Relationship: Parents, Family Relationship: Siblings, Generation: 1st, Genre: Fantasy & Folklore, Immigrant: Education
Setting: United States (Massachusetts)
Character’s New Arrival/New American Status: 1st Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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Want to bake treats from the book?
DOWNLOAD Midsummer’s Mayhem: Recopies (PDF)
Want to hold a book-themed Baking Event?
In its starred review, Kirkus Reviews called Midsummer’s Mayhem “a delectable treat for food and literary connoisseurs alike,” and we have imagined an event that would bring eight-to thirteen-year-old food and literary connoisseurs together!
You will find ideas and tools to create a Midsummer’s Mayhem Baking Contest for your young readers and chefs. The kit’s materials make room for many winners and many delicious variations with:
— Adaptable Poster / Invitation
— Adaptable Flyer / Invitation
— Recipe Book for All Entrants
— Pennant Flags
— Award Certificates
— Table Toppers
DOWNLOAD Midsummer’s Mayhem: Baking Event Kit (PDF)
DOWNLOAD Midsummer’s Mayhem: Poster / Invitation Template (JPG)
DOWNLOAD Midsummer’s Mayhem: Flyer / Invitation Template (JPG)