ISBN 9780310769767
Published by Blink, 2020
Genre/Format: Contemporary Realistic Fiction/Hardback, paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Honors
Buzzfeed 30 YA Books By Latinx Authors We Can't Wait To Read In 2020
Hypable Book of the Week, March 27, 2020
Reading Level: Grade 10 and up (Booklist)
Plot Summary: Isabella (Isa) is a 17 year old American girl of Cuban descent on her father's side and her mother is French. It's the last summer before high school ends and her parents just split up, her beloved grandma recently passed, and already her father is married with a new baby on the way. But Isa isn't going to let anything set her back because she is determined to become one of the world''s greatest chefs. She has landed a coveted spot at a three week intensive course at renowned Chef Pascal Grattard's restaurant in Lyon. Whoever finishes the course in the Number One spot earns the prestigious one year apprenticeship at the restaurant. Isa believes she needs to be number one in order to achieve her dreams. But will this focus help her reach this goal, or will the emotional weight of the past two years and the possibility of a new love interest bring her down?
Author Background: Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Mayra Cuevas joined CNN in 2004 as a journalist and continues to work there as a producer. She created an Educator's Guide for Salty, Bitter, Sweet which is available for free for the Kindle. She has a blog on her website that shows her dedication to the Latinx community, to helping young writers, and to her desire to encourage diversity in all walks of life, including libraries (Mayra Cuevas).
Critical Evaluation: What Salty, Bitter, Sweet does so well is make you care about Isa because it only tells the story from her point of view. Our hearts break for her as we understand the many hardships she's been through in such a short period of time, the displacement she must feel by trying to fit in with her father's new family, in a foreign country with a language that is not her own. We cheer for her to achieve her dreams of being a great chef. But all of these conspire to hide that she is very immature and treats people around her poorly. She can be very unlikeable and it's frustrating to watch her hurt others and make poor choices.
Speed-Round Book Talk: Salty, Bitter, Sweet is a coming of age story about Isa, a girl on the brink of adulthood, who has experienced major upheavals in her life. Follow Isa through France and Spain as she finds the courage to break free from her past to create the future of her dreams.
Library Program: Make a memory book (workshop will meet once a week for a month). Is there someone important in your life, a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or family friend, whose memories you want to help preserve? Bring any photos, slips of paper or anything else that you want to include. Writing prompts will help you put memories down on paper and we will fashion an album or scrapbook out of all your material.
Potential Challenges: Some might criticize this book for its mature themes. Although Isa is still in high school she conducts herself as an independent young woman who does not have to listen to her parents. Additionally, living in France means she has more freedom than a typical American teenager. She drinks and has a sexual life, both of which might make people uncomfortable. My defense of this is that many teenagers in the U.S. are already living lives like this and need to see themselves in books. And there are already books in the library that deal with the same issues.
Reason for Inclusion: This book's protagonist has an usual background: French and Cuban. Both cultures play important roles in her life and it was fascinating to get a glimpse into both these worlds. Additionally, Isa grapples with the death of a close family member and the break up of her family, both are issues that affect many teens. Seeing how she falters and stumbles, but eventually rights herself will be relatable and inspiring to other young adults.
References
Entertaining With Beth. (2017). Beth's Easy Cheese Souffle Recipe. Youtube.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvfM5NAlVsA
Mayra Cuevas.Phenomenally Latina. Mayracuevas.com.
https://www.mayracuevas.com/about-1
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