While most of the story is told in third person limited from Gladys’ perspective, behind the scene insights offer a plausible explanation of how the newspaper contacted Gladys, enabled by the antics of tired adults trying to do their jobs. Quincy (new teacher), and Aunt Lydia make great rolemodels for Gladys. Not all the adults in the story oppose cooking. “Oh, it all works the same way,” her mom had said as Gladys’s dad scooped spoonfuls of dough directly onto the glass carousel. Gladys’s parents refused to use the oven or the stovetop- not when they could just nuke things in the microwave.

In All Four Stars, it feels natural and funny. I’ve read other novels where this kind of poor judgement from adults seems ignorant and tiresome.

Dairman writes this attitude in a tongue in cheek matter, rather than suggesting they’re behaving realistically. Gladys’ parents’ have an over-the-top attitude towards cooking. The adults demonstrate that balance best. All Four Stars offers a cute story while striking a balance between silliness and realism. I would love to read more contemporary middle grade like this. I took four years to get around to reading All Four Stars. I’m glad I didn’t drop it from my TBR! Dairman blends an exciting, out-there plot (becoming a food critic) with real childhood concerns (suddenly becoming popular at school, navigating new friendships, etc.). She’s devastated but soon finds just the right opportunity to pay her parents back when she’s mistakenly contacted to write a restaurant review for one of the largest newspapers in the world. But in order to meet her deadline and keep her dream job, Gladys must cook her way into the heart of her sixth-grade archenemy and sneak into New York City-all while keeping her identity a secret! Easy as pie, right?

Gladys Gatsby has been cooking gourmet dishes since the age of seven, only her fast-food-loving parents have no idea! Now she’s eleven, and after a crème brûlée accident (just a small fire), Gladys is cut off from the kitchen (and her allowance).

All four stars by tara dairman