FROSTING AND FRIENDSHIP

An impetuous decision to improve her meager baking skills leads to culinary mishaps and friendship woes for middle school musician Lily.

Having recently formed a band with two friends, Lily is ready for her role as lead singer. An upcoming audition for a chance to perform at her school increases Lily’s determination to make their fledgling band a success. However, a request to co-host a surprise birthday party for a mutual friend poses a distraction. In this engaging addition to the series (Sprinkles and Secrets, 2011), Schroeder addresses friendship dilemmas familiar to preteen readers as Lily struggles to reconcile her yearning to fit in with the need to be herself. For Lily, agreeing to help Isabel with Sophie’s 13th birthday party represents an opportunity to demonstrate her BFF potential to Sophie. But in her eagerness to belong, Lily feigns an interest and aptitude in baking she does not possess. When the party preparations—including her comically calamitous baking endeavors—interfere with her band, Lily must decide what is more important: pretending to be just like someone else or proudly pursuing her dreams.

Ultimately, Lily’s choice to celebrate her unique abilities and interests affirms readers’ rights to do the same.