Everything on a Waffle

Everything on a Waffle follows eleven-year-old Primrose Squarp, who lives in the fishing village of Coal Harbor, British Columbia. After her parents disappear in a storm at sea, she maintains an unwavering belief that they are still alive, despite her community's certainty of their deaths. As Primrose navigates life without her parents, she bounces between different caregivers and finds solace at a local restaurant called The Girl on the Red Swing. The restaurant, known for serving every dish atop a waffle, becomes her sanctuary, and its owner Kate Bowzer becomes her mentor in both cooking and life. Each chapter includes one of Primrose's collected recipes, which tie into her experiences and relationships throughout the story. Through her time at the restaurant and her interactions with various townspeople, Primrose maintains her unique perspective on life in Coal Harbor. The novel explores themes of hope, resilience, and the power of staying true to one's beliefs in the face of opposition. It presents a child's view of loss and faith without losing its sense of humor and warmth.

Readers describe the book as quirky and heartwarming, with many highlighting the main character Primrose's optimistic outlook despite her circumstances. The recipes included at chapter endings add charm and connect to the story's themes. Readers appreciated: - The authentic voice of the 11-year-old narrator - Dry humor and understated wit - Rich portrayal of small-town life - Balance of serious topics with light moments - Food descriptions and included recipes Common criticisms: - Too melancholy for some young readers - Plot moves slowly in places - Some found the protagonist unrealistic Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (180+ reviews) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Multiple reviewers noted the book works better for adults than children, with one Goodreads reviewer stating "This reads like an adult novel disguised as children's literature." Several teachers reported mixed reactions when reading it to classes, with some students engaged and others losing interest.

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🍽️ Every recipe featured in the book actually works and has been tested - a rare feature for recipes included in fiction books 🏆 The book won both a Newbery Honor Award and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award in 2002 📚 Polly Horvath wrote the book while living on Vancouver Island, BC, drawing inspiration from the local coastal culture and cuisine 🌊 The maritime setting reflects real British Columbia fishing communities, where storms and sea accidents have historically shaped local life 🎨 The unique title comes from a real restaurant Horvath visited where the owner actually served every dish, from ice cream to shepherd's pie, on top of a waffle