Pie

Pie tells the story of Alice Anderson, whose Aunt Polly was famous in Ipswitch, Pennsylvania for making perfect pies and giving them away for free. When Aunt Polly passes away, she leaves her secret pie crust recipe to her cat Lardo - and leaves Lardo to Alice. The town becomes caught up in speculation about the valuable secret recipe, while Alice processes her grief and tries to understand her complicated aunt. She teams up with her friend Charlie to solve the mysteries surrounding both the recipe and some strange events occurring in Ipswitch. The novel combines elements of mystery, friendship, and coming-of-age as Alice navigates family relationships and small-town dynamics in 1955. Each chapter opens with a pie recipe that connects to the story's events. At its core, this middle-grade novel explores themes of generosity, the true value of gifts, and how food can bring people together. The story raises questions about what we choose to keep secret and what we choose to share.

Readers describe Pie as a light, cozy mystery that focuses on family relationships and small-town life. The book appeals to both children and adults. Readers appreciated: - Realistic portrayal of aunt-niece bonds - Incorporation of pie recipes throughout - Historical 1950s setting details - Handling of grief and loss themes - Quick pacing and short chapters Common criticisms: - Mystery elements felt predictable - Some characters needed more development - Ending wrapped up too neatly - Cat subplot seemed unnecessary to some Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (15,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (300+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 (parents and kids) Specific comments: "The pie recipes add a fun interactive element" - Goodreads reviewer "Would have liked more depth to the mystery" - Amazon reviewer "Perfect for young bakers who enjoy gentle mysteries" - School Library Journal

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🥧 The recipe for Alice's award-winning piecrust died with her, as she never wrote it down and only shared it with her cat, Lardo. 🏆 In the real world, pie competitions like those featured in the book are serious business, with the American Pie Council hosting the National Pie Championships annually since 1995. 🐱 The author, Sarah Weeks, named the cat character "Lardo" after her own childhood pet, who got his name because he was particularly fond of eating lard. 📍 The story is set in the fictional town of Ipswitch, Pennsylvania, during the 1950s, capturing the feel of small-town America with its diners, pie shops, and close-knit community. 📚 Sarah Weeks wrote the book after being inspired by her memories of her grandmother's delicious pies and the special bond they shared while baking together in the kitchen.