ANSLEY'S BIG BAKE OFF

Ansley discovers herself through gymnastics and baking.

This Christian middle-grade novel is a syrupy sweet addition to the publisher’s FaithGirlz line. A spinoff of the Lena in the Spotlight series, this book centers on Lena’s younger sister Ansley, the second of four in a tightknit black family. The girls’ mother died unexpectedly just weeks ago, leaving them in mourning just before they start at the Roland Lake Christian Academy, just days after moving to a new town. Despite their grief, the girls are bubbly and optimistic as they anticipate starting their new life, making new friends, and signing up for gymnastics. Such an adjustment is tough, but it’s made even tougher by Ansley’s instant rivalry with fellow classmate Taylor Lang. Even as Ansley discovers a love of baking, she obsesses over ways to win Taylor over, trying to treat the white girl as Jesus might. Further conflict arises when Ansley must decide if she wants to perform gymnastics, compete in a bake-off, or sign up for both at the upcoming town fair. This book is fairly breezy considering the variety of themes it tackles. It can be read as a stand-alone but will likely be best enjoyed by established fans. Though readers learn of their mother’s passing early on, that trauma is barely felt, with the antagonism between Ansley and Taylor taking up the bulk of the plot.

Slight but with some appeal to series fans.