BOOKS

Foster McFee is a sixth-grade grad with a secret: She’s a whiz kid in the kitchen, but when it comes to cookbooks, she’s totally lost. Like many kids, Foster has always had trouble forming letters into words, but she doesn’t let it stop her from dreaming big. A Food Network devotee, she dreams of hosting her own cooking show. Her tagline? “I’m going to make the world a better place, one cupcake at a time.”

Joan Bauer’s latest novel, Close to Famous is packed with goodies—chocolate chip muffins, butterscotch cupcakes, brown sugar brownies. And while it’s inspired me to go home, put on an apron and pull out the sugar ‘n’ flour, it’s not just a saccharine-sweet read about a wannabe baker going pro.

You see, when Foster’s mom’s abusive ex busts a window in their apartment, the pair flee to Culpepper, W.V. The teensy town has seen better days, but though its residents struggle with their own problems, they’re never too busy or self-absorbed to lend a hand to someone in need. Be it a tween who can’t read, an abused woman trying to leave her husband or a short guy itching to make his mark on the world, everyone is treated like family here.

What I love most about this book is the optimism, the notion that everything is okay, that everything has happened for a reason, that we can overcome any obstacle to achieve our dreams. And when life gets rough, a cupcake can surely make any moment sweet.

Who could argue with that?

TALK BACK: Tell us what you think

Let’s get the conversation going with a few discussion questions. Feel free to address them (or not) in the comments!

1. Why is it important that Foster is a baker?

2. How does Foster transform from an outsider in Culpepper into an essential part of the community?

3. Names are very important in this novel. Why is that?

Word to the wise: If you haven’t read Close to Famous yet and don’t want your experience with the novel to be spoiled, do yourself a favor and don’t read the comments to this post ‘til you’ve read the last page of the book!

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by Brittany Taylor | 2/1/2016