Pies and Prejudice

The fourth installment in the Mother-Daughter Book Club series follows Emma Hawthorne as she moves from Concord to England for her mother's one-year fellowship. Meanwhile, the remaining book club members navigate changes at home while reading Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The girls stay connected across the Atlantic through emails and video chats as they each face new challenges. Emma adapts to British life and makes unexpected connections, while her friends deal with family dynamics, relationship struggles, and the complexities of maintaining long-distance friendship. The story parallels themes from Pride and Prejudice as the characters confront their own prejudices and preconceptions. This middle-grade novel explores how physical distance can strengthen bonds rather than break them, while capturing the essence of early teen experiences and self-discovery.

Readers found this fourth Mother-Daughter Book Club novel entertaining and appropriate for middle-grade audiences. Many appreciated the incorporation of Jane Austen themes and the evolution of the core characters as they enter high school. Fans highlighted: - The shift to Emma's perspective in Concord - Strong family relationships - Integration of baking and recipes - Clean content suitable for young readers Common criticisms: - Less character development compared to previous books - Predictable plot resolutions - Some found the Jane Austen references forced Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.29/5 (7,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (190+ reviews) One reader noted: "The pie-making subplot adds a fun dimension without overshadowing the main story." Another mentioned: "The friend drama feels authentic to the age group." Several reviewers pointed out the book works best for those familiar with the previous entries in the series rather than as a standalone.

Mother-Daughter Book Club by Kate Hannigan Four middle school girls form connections through their mothers' book club, navigating friendship challenges and family dynamics.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall Four sisters spend their summer vacation exploring a Massachusetts estate, building friendships, and creating their own adventures.

Much Ado About Anne by Heather Vogel Frederick A group of young readers connects through their shared love of classic literature while facing the complexities of middle school life.

Bloomability by Sharon Creech A thirteen-year-old girl discovers herself at a boarding school in Switzerland while making international friends and learning to embrace change.

Rules by Cynthia Lord A twelve-year-old girl balances her relationship with her autistic brother, new friendships, and her place in the world through art and understanding.

🥧 Emma, Jess, Cassidy, and Megan's book club adventure takes place in Concord, MA - the same town where Louisa May Alcott wrote "Little Women," which the girls are reading. 📚 Author Heather Vogel Frederick grew up in a small New England town similar to the book's setting, and like her characters, developed a deep love for classic literature as a young reader. 🏠 The book's title is a clever play on Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," blending the main character's family pie-making business with themes of prejudgment and first impressions. 🍪 The novel includes real recipes that readers can try, including "Blueberry Boy-Bait" and "Half-Moon Cookies," connecting the story's culinary themes to hands-on activities. 📖 This is the fourth book in "The Mother-Daughter Book Club" series, which spans seven books total and follows the girls from middle school through their high school years.