Summer of a Thousand Pies by Margaret Dilloway

There was actually a big community element in this book, which was quite lovely, and reinforced the idea, that it's ok to accept help from others, when you need it. Together, they were a great team, and it wasn't just Suzanne and Shell, who were there for Cady. Shell was a little hard on the outside, but she shared her love of baking with Cady, and Suzanne was there to nurture when needed. Her connection to Shell was very special. Cady had to learn a lot about living with a family and trusting people, but she did, slowly but surely. Which was why I loved seeing her grow and flourish once she moved in with her aunt Shell and her partner, Suzanne. Given her history of being in and out of the foster care system, being homeless, and being bullied, among other things, she was still able to maintain some sort of optimism. Her mother died, her father was unreliable, and she was forced to depend on herself. She had it tough, and because of that, she had trust issues. When her father was taken into custody, she was placed in the care of an aunt she never knew she had, and that was when Cady started to see things a little differently.įirst and foremost, I really did like Cady. As the child of an addict, she knew homelessness, abandonment, and hunger. Several recipes are included.Ĭady had to grow up fast. This middle grade novel is perfect for foodie fans, viewers of The Great British Bake Off, and anyone who enjoys a good coming-of-age tale. In fact, it is Cady's developing baking skills, creativity, and concern for a friend with celiac disease that just might be the ticket to the shop's success.

Over the course of one summer, young Cady bakes one thousand pies (and a few cakes for good measure) learning much about herself in the process.

Cady, wary of assistance and angry about her circumstances, comes to learn there are people worth trusting in this world, people who care deeply about her well being. As Cady and her aunt Shell navigate the boundaries of their burgeoning relationship, Shell simultaneously attempts to keep her shop in business. Nestled in the mountains above San Diego, in the town of Julian, Shell's Pies is struggling to stay afloat. When her father is arrested, twelve-year-old Cady is sent to live with her aunt, the proprietor of a pie shop. An excellent and engaging story about a young girl dealing with the effects of her father's mental illness and the ensuing instability.

Summer of a Thousand Pies by Margaret Dilloway