Bliss

Gr 3–6—Twelve-year-old Rose's mother is an excellent baker, and the lightning bolt or weasel's yawn that she adds to normal ingredients gives her cookies and muffins an extra little something that helps keep trouble at bay in their town. Combating a summer flu epidemic, the mayor of neighboring Humbleton begs the Bliss parents to come to his town to make their almond croissants, known for abating flu symptoms. They demur: How will they keep their home-based bakery operational while they are gone, and who will take care of their four children? They finally agree that Rose and teenage Ty can keep things running with the help of their neighbor and the bakery assistant. Before leaving, the parents lock away the Bliss Cookery Booke and entrust the key to Rose, with instructions that there will be no magic and that the Booke is not to be disturbed. Soon, beautiful, enigmatic Aunt Lily arrives and seems to cast a spell on the children. When she tells them of her plans to host a TV show featuring the most wonderful recipes in the world, Ty and Sage immediately want to let their aunt see the cookbook. As a compromise, Rose agrees that she and Ty can try out a few of the recipes, showing Lily the finished products. Chaos quickly ensues throughout the town when one recipe after another goes slightly wrong. Humor abounds in this sweet story that stresses the importance of family, and readers will enjoy getting to know the eccentric Bliss family. The cliff-hanger ending hints at a sequel.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA