Summer of a Thousand Pies by Margaret Dilloway

How I Heard About It:   One of my favorite aspects of the NCTE convention each year is browsing the Exhibit floor, talking to publishers, and getting some well-praised ARC's to bring home to read and of course share with my students.  This was one such novel I received this past November in Houston.  


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:  

1.  *One day Cady is homeless trying to make ends met with her unstable father.  The next day, she is being sent to live with an aunt she has never met while her dad gets his act together.  


2.  *Cady isn't sure what to expect in the small town where he aunt lives.  She finds herself living in the bedroom that her mother once slept in.  

3.  *Cady spends the initial days getting to know a new family, making new friends, and adjusting to life in a town that provides more stability then she has known in a long time.

4.  *Her aunt owns a pie-shop and begins to train Cady on how to make the best pies in town.  After a bit of digging and research, Cady learns that her aunt's shop isn't doing well and may be in danger of shutting down.

5.  *Besides getting use to a new life with an adult that has rules, restrictions, and guidelines; Cady sets out to help her aunt, the members of the community, and herself.  


What I Thought Of It - FIVE Observations/Reflections:

1.  *Normally it seems that middle-grade stories center round a mother and/or female character that is dealing with "stuff" in life.  I appreciated that the author included a father dealing with emotional and other "issues".  

2.  *Cady was such a special character.  I could feel her pain from the experiences living with her father and the uncertainly she had when she first got to her aunt's home.  

3.  *Her determination to help her aunt, which in turn helped herself, was a focal point of the novel which worked beautifully in the pages of the story.  

4.  *The supporting cast of characters were wonderful and added greatly to the overall plot.  It was heart-warming to read about Cady's new friendships and how they helped her move on.  

5.  *I enjoyed the setting and the images of the quaint pie shop on what I imagined to be in small-town America.  Overall, it was a satisfying and enjoyable read.  


Who Should Read It:   The story would work best for readers in grades five and/or six.  I'm not sure third and fourth graders would have the stamina for the length of the story and the slow pace of the plot.  I think the novel could also be placed in the hands of a middle-school reader.  Adult readers need to be this title on their TBR list and look for it in April of 2019.  Happy Reading!  


Rating:   4 STARS out of 5 Stars!