A Dash of Trouble (Love Sugar Magic #1)

Scrupulously avoiding tokenism, Meriano builds a wonderful contemporary world in small-town Texas, full of diverse characters, where magic feels right at home and muggles will feel equally welcome. A series opener that’s proof that windows and mirrors can be magical ingredients. (Fantasy. 8-12).

Copyright 2017 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 3-6--Amor y Azucar Panaderia (Love and Sugar Bakery) is bustling on the eve of Dia de los Muertos, and all Leonora Logrono wants to do is help. But as the youngest of five sisters, Leo is repeatedly told she is too young to participate in the family business. Leo resorts to sneaking, and discovers that Mama, Tia, and her sisters are brujas, and there is more to their baked goods than just sugar and flour. Anxious to explore her own potential abilities, Leo steals a book of magical recipes and begins experimenting, leading to various mishaps. Tradition is a prominent theme in this debut, but instead of leading to conflict, Meriano depicts a family that is open and accepting of change, while still honoring long-standing family customs. Leo, despite feeling left out, has very supportive older sisters who guide her misadventures, and ultimately, along with the elder women (even Abuela, whose ghost keeps an eye on the family), shape Leo's magical development. Spell recipes are included in the text entirely in Spanish, which Leo, as a nonspeaker, must decipher using a bilingual dictionary. Back matter includes additional nonmagical recipes for pan de muerto and amaranth bars that should keep readers busy until the next installment in the series. VERDICT A delectable debut with wide appeal, and a must-have for middle grade fiction collections.--Jessica Agudelo, New York Public Library

In this effervescent kickoff to the Love Sugar Magic series, Leonora "Leo" Logrono is tired of being the baby of the family: her four older sisters all speak Spanish and get to help out at the family bakery, especially as they prepare for Dia de los Muertos. Then Leo discovers that her mother and sisters are actually brujas, able to bake magic spells into their pastries. "Our power comes from the magic of sweetness," explains one sister. "Sweetness from love and sweetness from sugar." Leo will be initiated at age 15, but she can't wait to try her hand at magic, resulting in a love spell that goes horribly wrong. Meriano's first novel is steeped in Mexican culture, family lore, and delicious baked goods. Readers who don't speak Spanish will share in Leo's confusion (the magical recipes are all written in Spanish), and those who do will enjoy being in on the family's secrets. A warmhearted read that will satisfy readers and leave them eager for a second helping. Art not seen by PW. A Cake Literary property. Ages 8-12. Author's agent: Victoria Marini, Irene Goodman Literary. (Jan.)