Release: August 17th 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Source: MTMC Tours
Find it at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Blackwell’s |Goodreads
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Aven is an expert baker of cakes and cookies. She’s been baking with her mom for a really long time. Since she was born without arms, Aven cracks eggs and measures sugar and flour with her feet. Now, she has her eye on the prize: a beautiful blue ribbon for baking at the county fair.
So she teams up with her friends Kayla, Emily, and Sujata. But It turns out they all have very different tastes and a lot of opinions about baking. Talk about a recipe for disaster!
About the Author:
DUSTI BOWLING grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, where, as her family will tell you, she always had her nose in a book. She released her first middle grade novel in 2017 and hasn’t stopped writing since.
Dusti’s books have won the Reading the West Award, the Sakura Medal, a Golden Kite Honor, the William Allen White Children’s Book Award. And there was nomination for a Cybil and over thirty state awards. Her books are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections were best books of the year by the Chicago Public Library, Kirkus, Bank Street College of Education, A Mighty Girl, Shelf Awareness, and many more.
Dusti currently lives in New River, Arizona with her husband, three daughters, a dozen tarantulas, a gopher snake named Burrito, a king snake name Death Noodle, and a cockatiel named Gandalf the Grey.
Aven Green Baking Machine Review:
“Aven Green Baking Machine” is an adorable middle-grade novel that tells you not to judge someone or something negatively before trying it.
I have not read the previous book in the series, so let me start by saying that I adored Aven. The author wrote such a dynamic character where Aven doesn’t let her shortcomings stop her from following her heart and ambitions. I was fascinated with how creative she is when she starts baking without the use of her arms.
I also loved how the author incorporated various dishes from each culture. As an Indian, I love how the author even Milk Barfi as a dish. The author added a lot of diversity to the story, which I appreciated. It includes a nice moral on not judging someone or something before experiencing it and always supporting your friends. Aven makes mistakes and learns what it means to be a true friend. I adored the supporting characters like Ren, Sujata, Emily, and yes, even Kayla. The illustrations by Gina Perry also complement the story beautifully that will attract middle graders to continue reading.
However, I was not too fond of Aven on some pages. She makes rude faces and reacts negatively whenever one of her friends makes a dish that sounds awkward to her. While I felt this was a normal reaction, I found it hard to like her when she did it repeatedly.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading this story and thought it was a very creative series with a fantastic protagonist. Overall, “Aven Green Baking Machine” is a charming book on baking and friendship, and I would love to read the first book.
Giveaway:
INTL TOUR-WIDE GIVEAWAY
5 lucky readers will win a digital copy of Aven Green Baking Machine!
HOW TO ENTER
– Like & leave a comment
– Follow me, @sterlingbooks & @mtmctours
Ends on August 24th at 11:59 PM EST. Must be 16+ or have parental permission to enter.
Release Day Tour 17th Aug 2021:
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Aven Green Baking Machine by Dusti Bowling Blog Tour hosted by MTMC Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
