I was so pleased to see the sequel to All Four Stars had come out, and this book did not disappoint.  Tween foodie Gladys is back, reviewing her way through the summer and cooking up a storm.  And, just like the first book…you might want to make sure the pantry’s stocked before digging in to this book. 😉

In all seriousness, I think these stories provide some useful insights into food and relationships.  I love the way Gladys’ food philosophy weaves through every aspect of her life, and that this book explores her perspective on how/what other people will eat and under what circumstances she might change her own approach to food.  I’m posting this pic of a truly terrific sandwich I had this week (shout out to the Daily Planet Cafe!) in honor of Gladys.  Also, because food pics were meant to share the spotlight with this book.  Can’t you almost taste it?

A novel that helped people think about the food they’re eating in healthy ways would be a good thing by itself, but The Stars of Summer is more than that.  It’s also extraordinarily plotted, with careful mining of unresolved tensions you may not have noticed from book one.  I’m so sorry to be cagey, but I don’t think I can say much more than that on the plot threads without giving stuff away, and I won’t do that.  But, trust me…it’s done a truly fabulous job of building on book one.  It also once again explores the opportunities of the New York setting, with the title ‘Stars of Summer’ being a play on words, as Gladys mixes and mingles with celebrities.  Against this back drop of the big city and big stars, Gladys does plenty of regular kid growing up, as she endures (or embraces?) summer camp, and goes in search of the big apple’s best hot dog.  Yes, that’s right…queen of the pint-sized foodies has to eat as many hot dogs as she can manage.  Makes you feel for her, doesn’t it?

A fun and funny story to read, I have to admit that the ending’s success was mixed.  It sets up a sequel, which made me very happy, and I suspect that once readers can rush straight on to book three they won’t complain so much about the almost cliff-hangar ending to book two.  And, to be fair, I don’t think author Tara Dairman intended to leave reader’s dangling.  The specific tasks of book two get resolved.  Gladys grows, reaches new resolutions, and satisfactory finishes the plot challenges of the story.  What I suspect was missing was the emotional high we usually associate with wrapping up a book.  Somewhere in the mix the moment of triumph got lost, at least for me.  Also for a certain young reader of my household, who told me (before I’d stolen the book back and had a chance to finish it) that she was a little disappointed in the ending.  That said, she also told me weeks later–and halfway through another book–that she wished she were still reading Stars of Summer!  Quite a high compliment to a book, if you ask me.

Let’s get Apricot-kitty’s take on it:

“There are few things that deserve a cat’s undivided attention, but food is one of them.  I like Gladys, she seems like my kind of person.  Moreover, she knows just what to do with food that’s somehow made its way down into her stomach, but doesn’t meet her exacting standards.  Hurl.”

Ah yes…a memorable moment in the book, that’s for sure!  And since Apricot-kitty has left me the opening, I’m going to quickly add here that I LOVED how Gladys’ relationship with her parents was handled in this book.  Truly a lovely bit of writing and story telling.

Do you have any recommendations you’d like to make?  Have any books surprised you recently?  Do tell!  And if you’d like more reviews, interviews, or giveaways, stop by Shannon Messenger’s blog for the collected list of Marvelous Middle Grade Monday posts.

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