I was thrown a bridal shower many years ago, as my wedding approached.  And having only lived in college apartments, plus feeling a bit harassed with wedding details, I did not register anywhere prior to said bridal shower.  Worse, on being pressed for what we’d need in our new home, I said something like ‘I don’t know.  Kitchen stuff.  I don’t have any dish towels.’

Is it any wonder, then, that out of some twenty to thirty gifts given me at the bridal show, fully twenty were kitchen towels?  It became rather awkward, as I would open a gift, see it was yet another set of kitchen towels, and try to find some new way to exclaim over the lovely gift.  Later on, people begin preempting me as I lifted up their present: ‘It’s another set of dish towels.  You don’t have to open it.  But don’t worry, the tags and gift receipt are included.’

Thankfully, they were gracious and we all had a good sense of humor, so it didn’t feel as awkward as it could have.  However, I always really felt for the ladies that had clearly spent some time picking out an especially cute set of matching towels, maybe with a little soap accessory thrown in, and had their thunder stolen long before I got there.

Today is like that.

Or, perhaps not quite so bad, but I do feel as if everyone I know has already reviewed All Four Stars, and enjoyed it, so what can my offering supply that theirs didn’t?  Should I even post about it?  The answer is–YES!  Because the book is so delicious I simply must host it here, and because those who’ve been holding out on reading it may still require a nudge.  Plus,  just as I was told then–that you can’t have too many kitchen towels–a book can’t have too many good reviews.  Today’s spotlight, therefore, is the warm and wonderful All Four Stars, by Tara Dairman!

The story centers around Gladys Gatsby, who as a six grader has a more refined palate then most the adults of the world.  Myself included.  This book made me salivate and aspire to change, but the truth is, I’m a bit cautious in trying knew food.  Too many food allergies, you know?  Makes taste-testing new dishes a bit like Russian Roulette.  Which is perhaps part of why I enjoyed the quite secondary character of Parm so much.  The book is obviously intended for young foodys and their adult counterparts, but I think it’s something many picky eaters would enjoy, too.  After all, what is Gladys except a picky eater who learned to fight back against unacceptable food?

In fact, I suspect a wide audience of kids would enjoy this, as it’s got something for almost every ‘type’ we might come across.  There are both the young foodys and picky eaters, of course, but also kids who feel isolated because their interests don’t coincide with the interests of their peers, traditional geeks and nerds who can connect through Gladys’ neighbor and friend, Sandy, and even the ‘popular’ girls that are usually the horrid villain in these books, as it turns out that this book’s young ogress, Charissa, may be no meaner than many of us when we’re kept on a near-starvation diet.  It really is a book for everyone–except, perhaps, fast food junkies.

The food descriptions were delicious, the character arc invigorating, the setting a hoot, and even the plot–which teetered near the edge of probability–was always able to save itself from falling off the cliff.  In fact, the final save at the end (when Gladys’ brilliant scheme backfires) may have been my favorite part.  The writing was brilliantly set up, that’s all I can say.

Now, let’s see what Apricot-kitty thought of it:

“Three words: Too much sugar.  Where were the deliciously drizzled chicken dumplings, the pepper mint duck in black currant sauce, the smoked salmon egg avocado, and the tuna tataki?  This child had a gift, yet spent most of her time wasting it on confections.  A crying shame, I tell you!”

And now I’m even hungrier.  Which I suppose is the one real draw-back of this book–if you attempt to read it on an empty stomach, you may find yourself nibbling on the pages!  Seriously, come to it fully armed with acceptable snacks, or who’s to know what may happen!

For more Marvelous Middle Grade Monday spotlights, reviews, giveaway and interviews, stop by Shannon Messengers blog, and happy MMGM!

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