Stir It Up: A Novel [Hardcover]

Ramin Ganeshram (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2011 | Age Range: 10 and up | Lexile Measure: 800L (What's this?)

A Trinidadian-American girl’s dream is challenged by her family

Thirteen-year-old Anjali's life is rich with the smell of curry from her parents' roti shop and an absolute passion for food. More than anything, Anjali wants to be a chef who competes on a kids' cooking reality TV show. But Anjali must keep her wish a secret from her family, who thinks Anjali's passions are beneath her. Thank goodness for Deema, Anjali's grandmother, whose insight and love can push past even the oldest family beliefs. Woven with recipes that cook up emotions and actual culinary recipes that make food, this novel is as delicious as it is satisfying.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents Review:

Anjali's voice is as fresh and vibrant as her Queens neighborhood. Not only are the descriptions of the foods mouthwatering, but recipes are included and liable to induce cooking. Teens will relate to Anjali's need for self-expression and acceptance.

Reviewed by Brenda Kahn, Closter, NJ,

From the Back Cover

Stir It Up! is sweet, sassy--and peppered with inspiration. Brava to author Ramin Ganeshram!--Daisy Martinez, chef host, Daisy Cooks! and Viva Daisy!, the Food Network.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (August 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545165822
• ISBN-13: 978-0545165822
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #457,267 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stir It Up! author, Ramin Ganeshram, figures she's read thousands of books in her lifetime but her absolute favorite is still the middle reader book Harriet The Spy by Louise Fitzhugh. Harriet the Spy is the book that made her want to be a writer, back when she was eleven years old. Today the mom of a great little girl, Ganeshram is also a food writer, cookbook author and professional chef trained at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. She has written for the New York Times regional sections and Newsday as a food columnist and feature writer. She is the author of Sweet Hands: Island Cooking From Trinidad & Tobago (Hippocrene NY 2006; 2nd expanded edition 2010). Stir It Up! is her first book for kids.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars An Okay Story with Food that Shines August 19, 2011

By DAC VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Anjali loves cooking and works in her families Trinidadian restaurant. Anjali cooks with her grandmother. On Saturday the two attend a cooking class run by chef Nyla. Anjali loves the classes where she's able to learn about different cuisines. Anjali dreams of being a Food Network star. Her parents think cooking is simply a hobby.

Chef Nyla tells Anjali about a new Food Network contest, Super Chef Kids. Anjali enters without telling anyone. Only when Anjali is chosen as a finalist does she tell her family about the contest. Her parents are excited until they discover that the competition will conflict with a H.S entrance exam. Anjali defies her parents, continuing on with the contest. When the truth is discovered her parents are disappointed and angry. Though they soon support their daughter, who has a very good chance at being the first Super Chef Kid.

The author is a trained chef and food writer, it shows in her main character. Anjali does an excellent job in talking about and describing food. It's easy to see Anjali passion and love of cooking. Away from food the story doesn't feel as natural. I do like Anjali's relationship with her grandmother and best friend Linc. Out of all the secondary characters those two are the best develop. Though overall there wasn't much depths in the characters.

The story was okay, the food shines throughout. This would be a good suggestion for anyone who enjoys being in the kitchen. The best thing about Stir It Up are the recipes. The book is worth buying for the 14 recipes alone. Ganeshram gives step by step instructions on how to cook each one. Everything sounded delicious. Two of my favorite, the coconut dark chocolate chip cookies and the shrimp burger pitas.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Yummy Book August 21, 2011

A Kid's Review

Format:Hardcover

I felt I could have been friends with the main character, Anjali.

This book was so good that it made me feel like I wanted to cook because as with so many good books, they make me want to do what the books are about. The food in the book sounded very yummy and there were very good recipes.

The story itself was great and the relationship between Lincoln and Anjali was very sweet and close, as were the relationships between Anjali and all the other characters.

The ending was both sweet and sad. I highly recommend that you read this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars My Stir It Up Recipe August 18, 2011

By ReadingVacation

Format:Hardcover

Stir it Up Recipe

1 Trinidadian-American teen girl named Anjali
1 cup of sneakiness as Anjali is not honest with her parents about Super Chef Kids
1 cup of determination as Anjali overcomes obstacles while competing
1 / 2 cup of spice for Anjali's personality and desire to live her dream
1 /2 cup of real life Trinidadian recipes to try for yourself
1 tablespoon of suspense during the cooking competition
1 teaspoon of family dynamics as Anjali's grandmother, Deema, helps her out

Mix all ingredients together until they form a complete book. Bake for an hour. The writing will include detailed descriptions of the Trinidadian food, and the story will be an easy read. Be sure to tell everyone that Anjali should not have kept a secret from her parents, but I appreciate her enthusiasm for achieving her goals. Eat while it's hot and enjoy!

RATING

4 Liked

COVER COMMENTS

This cover is spicy, just like the dishes Anjali cooks. I like the turquoise and red that really pop! Oh, and Anjali's big smile shows she is having fun.