Name: Heaven Adore's review of Midsummer's Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca
Item: Midsummer's Mayhem
Rating: 5
Author: Heaven Adore

Rajani LaRocca

Can Mimi undo the mayhem caused by her baking in this contemporary-fantasy retelling of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream? Eleven-year-old Mimi Mackson comes from a big Indian American family: Dad's a renowned food writer, Mom's a successful businesswoman, and her three older siblings all have their own respective accomplishments. It's easy to feel invisible in such an impressive family, but Mimi's dream of proving she's not the least-talented member of her family seems possible when she discovers a baking contest at the new bakery in town. Plus, it'll start her on the path to becoming a celebrity chef like her culinary idol, Puffy Fay. But when Mimi's dad returns from a business trip, he's mysteriously lost his highly honed sense of taste. Without his help, Mimi will never be able to bake something impressive enough to propel her to gastronomic fame. Drawn into the woods behind her house by a strangely familiar song, Mimi meets Vik, a boy who brings her to parts of the forest she's never seen. Who knew there were banyan trees and wild boars in Massachusetts? Together they discover exotic ingredients and bake them into delectable and enchanting treats. But as her dad acts stranger every day, and her siblings' romantic entanglements cause trouble in their town, Mimi begins to wonder whether the ingredients she and Vik found are somehow the cause of it all. She needs to use her skills, deductive and epicurean, to uncover what's happened. In the process, she learns that in life as in baking, not everything is sweet. . . .

Midsummer's Mayhem

Elena F.

Can Mimi undo the mayhem caused by her baking in this contemporary-fantasy retelling of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream? Eleven-year-old Mimi Mackson comes from a big Indian American family: Dad's a renowned food writer, Mom's a successful businesswoman, and her three older siblings all have their own respective accomplishments. It's easy to feel invisible in such an impressive family, but Mimi's dream of proving she's not the least-talented member of her family seems possible when she discovers a contest at the new bakery in town. Plus, it'll start her on the path to becoming a celebrity chef like her culinary idol, Puffy Fay. But when Mimi's dad returns from a business trip, he's mysteriously lost his highly honed sense of taste. Without his help, Mimi will never be able to bake something impressive enough to propel her to gastronomic fame. Drawn into the woods behind her house by a strangely familiar song, Mimi meets Vik, a boy who brings her to parts of the forest she's never seen. Who knew there were banyan trees and wild boars in Massachusetts? Together they discover exotic ingredients and bake them into delectable and enchanting treats. But as her dad acts stranger every day, and her siblings' romantic entanglements cause trouble in their town, Mimi begins to wonder whether the ingredients she and Vik found are somehow the cause of it all. She needs to use her skills, deductive and epicurean, to uncover what's happened. In the process, she learns that in life, as in baking, not everything is sweet. . . .

Heaven Adore

Okay, this book was absolutely lovely! I didn’t know that it was a Middle Grade retelling of a Midsummer’s Night Dream until I started reading it. And my goodness, it was so well done. Of course, there were some fantasy elements implemented, but it wasn’t weird, except for the ending though. Seriously, a boy coming out to be half human and half fairy. That aside, this book was wonderful.

I wish that there were more descriptions throughout the book, especially about the forest. Gosh, I mean, she was there practically every day. But the descriptions of the treats she made will make your mouth water and also urge you to get in the kitchen.

I loved the theme of friendship. Friends always bring out the best in and push us to try new things. They are there to support us, even from afar, and to confide in. Even though Mimi’s friend, Emma, moved away, she found a new friend in Viv and eventually the bully, Kiera. “People change people,” which is why it’s important to treat others as we desire to be treated. This was so vibrant like violets throughout this book.

Following your dreams is also a theme. Mimi made mistakes, and even wanted to give up participating in the baking contest, but she kept going. Why is that? Giving up is failing because we will never learn from that. But when we actually fail, we can not only get back up again but also discover how to make improvements. Following your dreams means that you will fail, but if it’s for what you love, it’s worth it in the end. Also, I must add how amazing the illustrations were. There were only maybe 6 in total, but the art style was so adorable. 

I would definitely recommend this book, especially to people who either like to bake or enjoy Shakespeare. It’s sugar, spice, and everything nice with a hint a lemon.

Renee Delcourt

Where I like the idea of the story there was a lot left to be desired from the writing.

Elena F. &
Midsummer's Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca

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Elena F. &Midsummer's Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca

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Join the club

Elena F. &
Midsummer's Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca