What do you think?
Rate this book
The Cupcake Club #1
Peace, Love and Cupcakes
Kylie will never survive fourth grade in her new school without friends. And starting a cupcake club seems the perfect way to meet other girls. But getting the club up and running is not easy- especially with trouble spelled M-e-r-e-d-i-t-h trying to ruin them. In taking on the class mean girl, Kylie and her new friends may have just bitten off more than they can chew.
208 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2012
170 people are currently reading
509 people want to read
About the author
Sheryl Berk
71 books44 followersSheryl Berk is an American writer and editor best known as the co-author of the New York Times bestseller Soul Surfer, written with Bethany Hamilton and later adapted into a feature film. She has co-written eight bestselling celebrity biographies, including Heart to Heart, Wise Girl: What I’ve Learned About Life, Love, and Loss, and The Rules According to JWOWW. A graduate of Syracuse University, Berk served as entertainment editor for McCall’s and as editor-in-chief of Life & Style Magazine. She also co-authored three popular children’s and young adult series—The Cupcake Club, Fashion Academy, and Ask Emma—with her daughter Carrie Berk, and is the author of the Dance Divas series, which inspired the off-Broadway musical Dance Divas Nutcracker.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
July 11, 2013
OK, so I know I'm coming at it from an adult perspective, but I thought it was heavy-handed and far-fetched. The bullying story line hit you over the head and the way these fourth-grade girls go from baking one batch of cupcakes for for the school fair to becoming almost full-time caters--with no interference from the health department, no licence and no commercial kitchen (Yeah, yeah, I know. The target audience won't think of these things, but I did.)just seemed too easy.
I did, however appreciate the recipes: Red Velvet Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting, Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting and Canolli Cupcakes with Ricotta Frosting. Hmm, which one do I try first?
I did, however appreciate the recipes: Red Velvet Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting, Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting and Canolli Cupcakes with Ricotta Frosting. Hmm, which one do I try first?
March 21, 2025
I started reading Sheryl and Carrie Berk's (mother and nine year old daughter) The Cupcake Club stories (a twelve volume series of early middle grade chapter books, with Carrie by the end of the series being around fourteen or so, and that Peace, Love and Cupcakes is the first instalment) mainly (if not solely) because The Cupcake Club novels feature baking cupcakes as their main theme (and that the Children's Literature Group is doing a food preparation theme from March to May 2025 for the Fiction Club). But yes, I do have to admit that for Peace, Love and Cupcakes (as well as likely for the rest of the series as well) there is unfortunately quite a bit of a caesura between what my inner child from about the age of eight to ten (maximum) thinks of Sheryl and Carrie Berk's presented text (generally fun, engaging, decently believable) and what my teenaged and adult reading selves consider, who jointly have some pretty frustrating narrational misgivings with regard to certain parts of Peace, Love and Cupcakes (and which will explained in more detail below).
For one, while my above mentioned eight to ten year old reading self finds the incessant amount of bullying main protagonist and fourth grader Kylie Carson experiences in Peace, Love and Cupcakes (ever since she moved from Florida to Connecticut in grade three) from rich and popular Meredith Mitchell (thus for more than a year, with no end in sight, with Kylie not daring to say anything and with her teachers also showing themselves as majorly, woefully oblivious as well) quite believable since I indeed experienced pretty much the same in grade four as a new immigrant to Canada from Germany and that my teachers were equally as ignorant and as stunned as Kylie's teachers are being described by Sheryl and Carrie Berk, well, teenaged and adult I, we both think that the Berks have made both Kylie (the main victim) and also Meredith (the main bully) much too typecast, much too stereotypical and as such too flatly on the surface, so that Peace, Love and Cupcakes is in my opinion decently enjoyable for grade threes and grade fours, but that readers above the age of nine or ten would likely want and need considerably more narrative meat, more character depth and less stereotypical good versus nasty. For yes, Kylie Carson and the friends she makes when she starts that (cupcake) baking club in Peace, Love and Cupcakes as well as Meredith Mitchell and her cabal of acolytes are pretty hugely (and also bordering on tediously) one-sided and that even the new drama teacher who encourages Kylie to start a baking club is at best a positive symbol, with Juliette Dubois being from Quebec and having played the female lead (Juliet Capulet) in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet at the Stratford Festival for me feeling just like some kind of afterthought and verbal window dressing so to speak (and that Kylie Carson's fellow Peace Love and Cupcakes or PLC club members and new best friends friends, that Jenna Medina, Lexi Poole and Sadie Harris are also mostly on the surface and not all that textually developed with regard to depth and emotionality symbols, with Jenna being the overweight girl, Lexi painfully shy and Sadie overly tall and also having reading issues, in other words dyslexic).
For two, while Kylie and her friends starting a baking club at school (and as suggested by Ms. Dubois) in Peace, Love and Cupcakes is in and of itself a neat idea, sorry, but how totally quickly Sheryl and Carrie Berk have the four girls move from experiencing some huge baking disasters (which read as pretty believable for novice bakers and I say that from personal experience) to creating, to making not only perfect and totally delicious cupcakes but also emerging as full-time caterers whose cupcakes everyone suddenly wants and everyone is constantly ordering and purchasing, this feels really frustratingly implausible (and that in my opinion, in particular older children would likely be rolling their eyes in disbelief and wanting and expecting more from the entire baking cupcakes angle in Peace, Love and Cupcakes and not something that happens ridiculously quickly, easily and almost like a deus ex machina).
And for three, the ending for Peace, Love and Cupcakes, this is rather too facile, too (and to use a baking related pun) pie-in-the-sky positive and also kind of makes adult me cringe just a trifle since there really should be more consequences for Kylie Carson deliberately using something that she knows Meredith Mitchell is seriously allergic to on the cupcakes for Meredith's birthday party. For although how Meredith's parents are shown in Peace, Love and Cupcakes as actually being willing to punish their daughter for being such a nasty a bully towards Kylie is of course commendable (albeit also rather unbelievable) but that for me Kylie herself does not get nearly enough censure (as she could actually have killed Meredith by using cinnamon) and that this makes Peace, Love and Cupcakes a not too bad story for an intended audience of eight to ten year olds, but that Sheryl and Carrie Berk certainly do show and seem to even kind of model a way for dealing with bullying that is in my opinion (and as an adult) potentially rather dangerous and as such also somewhat inappropriate (although frankly I do have to admit that my bullied ten year old kind of thinks that Meredith totally reaped what she had sewn throughout Peace, Love and Cupcakes).
So yes, two stars for Peace, Love and Cupcakes from me as an adults reader, but upped to three stars since my inner child has been more than decently amused (and that the cupcake recipes presented in Peace, Love and Cupcakes and Carrie Berk's list of how to bake good cupcakes look delicious and mouthwateringly good).
For one, while my above mentioned eight to ten year old reading self finds the incessant amount of bullying main protagonist and fourth grader Kylie Carson experiences in Peace, Love and Cupcakes (ever since she moved from Florida to Connecticut in grade three) from rich and popular Meredith Mitchell (thus for more than a year, with no end in sight, with Kylie not daring to say anything and with her teachers also showing themselves as majorly, woefully oblivious as well) quite believable since I indeed experienced pretty much the same in grade four as a new immigrant to Canada from Germany and that my teachers were equally as ignorant and as stunned as Kylie's teachers are being described by Sheryl and Carrie Berk, well, teenaged and adult I, we both think that the Berks have made both Kylie (the main victim) and also Meredith (the main bully) much too typecast, much too stereotypical and as such too flatly on the surface, so that Peace, Love and Cupcakes is in my opinion decently enjoyable for grade threes and grade fours, but that readers above the age of nine or ten would likely want and need considerably more narrative meat, more character depth and less stereotypical good versus nasty. For yes, Kylie Carson and the friends she makes when she starts that (cupcake) baking club in Peace, Love and Cupcakes as well as Meredith Mitchell and her cabal of acolytes are pretty hugely (and also bordering on tediously) one-sided and that even the new drama teacher who encourages Kylie to start a baking club is at best a positive symbol, with Juliette Dubois being from Quebec and having played the female lead (Juliet Capulet) in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet at the Stratford Festival for me feeling just like some kind of afterthought and verbal window dressing so to speak (and that Kylie Carson's fellow Peace Love and Cupcakes or PLC club members and new best friends friends, that Jenna Medina, Lexi Poole and Sadie Harris are also mostly on the surface and not all that textually developed with regard to depth and emotionality symbols, with Jenna being the overweight girl, Lexi painfully shy and Sadie overly tall and also having reading issues, in other words dyslexic).
For two, while Kylie and her friends starting a baking club at school (and as suggested by Ms. Dubois) in Peace, Love and Cupcakes is in and of itself a neat idea, sorry, but how totally quickly Sheryl and Carrie Berk have the four girls move from experiencing some huge baking disasters (which read as pretty believable for novice bakers and I say that from personal experience) to creating, to making not only perfect and totally delicious cupcakes but also emerging as full-time caterers whose cupcakes everyone suddenly wants and everyone is constantly ordering and purchasing, this feels really frustratingly implausible (and that in my opinion, in particular older children would likely be rolling their eyes in disbelief and wanting and expecting more from the entire baking cupcakes angle in Peace, Love and Cupcakes and not something that happens ridiculously quickly, easily and almost like a deus ex machina).
And for three, the ending for Peace, Love and Cupcakes, this is rather too facile, too (and to use a baking related pun) pie-in-the-sky positive and also kind of makes adult me cringe just a trifle since there really should be more consequences for Kylie Carson deliberately using something that she knows Meredith Mitchell is seriously allergic to on the cupcakes for Meredith's birthday party. For although how Meredith's parents are shown in Peace, Love and Cupcakes as actually being willing to punish their daughter for being such a nasty a bully towards Kylie is of course commendable (albeit also rather unbelievable) but that for me Kylie herself does not get nearly enough censure (as she could actually have killed Meredith by using cinnamon) and that this makes Peace, Love and Cupcakes a not too bad story for an intended audience of eight to ten year olds, but that Sheryl and Carrie Berk certainly do show and seem to even kind of model a way for dealing with bullying that is in my opinion (and as an adult) potentially rather dangerous and as such also somewhat inappropriate (although frankly I do have to admit that my bullied ten year old kind of thinks that Meredith totally reaped what she had sewn throughout Peace, Love and Cupcakes).
So yes, two stars for Peace, Love and Cupcakes from me as an adults reader, but upped to three stars since my inner child has been more than decently amused (and that the cupcake recipes presented in Peace, Love and Cupcakes and Carrie Berk's list of how to bake good cupcakes look delicious and mouthwateringly good).
March 26, 2014
It's always difficult reading about girls who are just mean. I was skeptical if I was going to like this book about a girl trying to make friends while a bully named Meredith constantly picks on her. It's not easy reading about how girls call their classmates pathetic losers especially when I have a young girl to protect. I found myself saying to my daughter several times, "You wouldn't say that to someone would you?" While I was uneasy at times reading through the name calling, I liked how the Cupcake Club banned together to become good friends and successful entrepreneurs through their cupcake business. Hard work and friendship can make a difference.
This is a realistic fiction book as the characters and the conflicts and successes they face could happen to anyone. The protagonist, Kylie is miserable as she enters fourth grade in her new school. She has no friends, but she does have a bully named Meredith who always makes nasty comments about her in order for Kylie to hear. Kylie starts a cupcake club to meet other girls and build friendships. The cupcake club is very successful as long as they stay ahead of Meredith and her schemes to sabotage their cupcake business.
This is an excellent book to not only talk about the genre of realistic fiction but can also be a platform in discussing bullying. Students can discuss the feelings Kylie had when entering a new school and what it feels like to be a victim with a bully. Students can build a connection with the feeling of trying something new, entering a new school, or being scared of an unknown experience. Students can discuss how Kylie adapted to something new and how the book can help the reader build their own strategies in addressing new experiences.
This is a realistic fiction book as the characters and the conflicts and successes they face could happen to anyone. The protagonist, Kylie is miserable as she enters fourth grade in her new school. She has no friends, but she does have a bully named Meredith who always makes nasty comments about her in order for Kylie to hear. Kylie starts a cupcake club to meet other girls and build friendships. The cupcake club is very successful as long as they stay ahead of Meredith and her schemes to sabotage their cupcake business.
This is an excellent book to not only talk about the genre of realistic fiction but can also be a platform in discussing bullying. Students can discuss the feelings Kylie had when entering a new school and what it feels like to be a victim with a bully. Students can build a connection with the feeling of trying something new, entering a new school, or being scared of an unknown experience. Students can discuss how Kylie adapted to something new and how the book can help the reader build their own strategies in addressing new experiences.
February 25, 2014
Cute book for those "tween" readers. Kylie is a 4th grader who just does not fit in. Constantly tormented by the school's mean girl, Meredith, Kylie struggles to find friends. When a new dram teacher comes to the school she notices Kylie's struggles and suggests her to start her own cupcake club. She recruits 3 other "misfit" girls to join her club. Jenna, the overweight girl, is the first to join. She is followed by, Lexie, the shy kid. And Finally Sadie, the super tall girl with a reading disability. Together they find that working with each other makes them stronger and they learn how they can help one another out.
I did have a couple issues with the story. One Juliette, the new drama teacher, has the students call her by her first name. I am old-fashioned with that and think teachers should be called Mr. Mrs. Miss. Ms....But as a character in the book I thought she was wonderful! She was an inspiration to the girls and helped them when they ran into trouble.
The other issue I had was how quickly people were paying the kids to make all these huge cupcake orders. The amounts were really high too. $2.50 for a cupcake and ordering 20 dozen? For a group of 9 year olds. I don't want young girls to think it is that easy. They girls did run into several issues while starting their business.
Overall, the story was fun, and I liked the 4 girls in the club. Meredith was the perfect nasty girl. And this book did cover bullying and what can happen to children who fall victim to this. Definitely want to read more of these! I think this would make a good book for my "tween" book club as well.
I did have a couple issues with the story. One Juliette, the new drama teacher, has the students call her by her first name. I am old-fashioned with that and think teachers should be called Mr. Mrs. Miss. Ms....But as a character in the book I thought she was wonderful! She was an inspiration to the girls and helped them when they ran into trouble.
The other issue I had was how quickly people were paying the kids to make all these huge cupcake orders. The amounts were really high too. $2.50 for a cupcake and ordering 20 dozen? For a group of 9 year olds. I don't want young girls to think it is that easy. They girls did run into several issues while starting their business.
Overall, the story was fun, and I liked the 4 girls in the club. Meredith was the perfect nasty girl. And this book did cover bullying and what can happen to children who fall victim to this. Definitely want to read more of these! I think this would make a good book for my "tween" book club as well.
September 30, 2017
Kylie has just moved from Florida to new place and having hard time to make some friends, especially when a bully named Meredith always pick on her.
But she decided to make a cupcake club and recruited 3 others misfit girls and their journey together begins.
I always love the story about school thing and friendship. Despite the bully thing.
Can't wait to read the second book
But she decided to make a cupcake club and recruited 3 others misfit girls and their journey together begins.
I always love the story about school thing and friendship. Despite the bully thing.
Can't wait to read the second book
March 18, 2025
I loved this book!
July 3, 2015
I often hate books like these; created to make some cash from kids who don't care about the value of a well-written storyline with good characters. While I liked the idea behind this particular series; a mom and daughter writing team who actually love to bake and therefore wrote books about baking! - I knew it was going to just land next to the shelves of other books that are "just like this."
Well that duo proved me wrong about my predictions; this was adorable. The characters each stood out and I even enjoyed hating the mean girl. I loved the recipes at the end and by the time the book was over I truly wanted to be in a baking club.
Highly recommending these to my third and fourth graders!
Well that duo proved me wrong about my predictions; this was adorable. The characters each stood out and I even enjoyed hating the mean girl. I loved the recipes at the end and by the time the book was over I truly wanted to be in a baking club.
Highly recommending these to my third and fourth graders!
August 17, 2016
I think that it is a really cute book . It helps friendship to have a very strong meaning
September 1, 2023
I had to take off stars
1. because I was cringing the INSTANT I read , because Rule of Drama means that will NOT be avoided, and
2. it made me go bake a cake that I absolutely shouldn't eat (I wasn't in the mood to do individual cupcakes, though).
Basic plot: New girl (Kylie) is reviled by the popular girl bully (Meredith) for accidentally hitting her with a shoe, endless bully-related incidents ensue.
The thing about bullies is that, in a *normal* slice-of-life story, there are only a few possible plotlines:
1. Bully is reformed and possibly even befriends the protagonist(s)
2. Bully is thwarted or neutralised, but the relationship between bully and protagonist(s) remains the same
3. Bully gets away with it and continues business as normal
This book ... which I expected, and that's fine and good. However, how it got there is a bit of a teeth-gritting session.
Firstly, Ms. Dubois (Juliette) is a super good teacher, and everyone should have someone like her in their lives. The fact that she is able to see through Kylie's attempts to downplay Meredith's bullying and get her to recruit three other "outcasts" to form a baking club is a lovely counter-bullying measure, to rally one's "found family." Zero complaints here, just noting before I forget.
Secondly, the fact that they form a cupcake BUSINESS, in FOURTH GRADE, where they are taking almost as many orders as a whole GROWN-UP bakery might, is pretty ridiculous. I get that they're supposed to look successful to show Meredith that living well is the best revenge, but... child labour laws, anyone?
Thirdly, the aforementioned had me reeling from the instant I read . How Kylie didn't get in half the trouble she SHOULD have gotten in is unthinkable, and I can only assume it's from the adults party to the incident not taking it as seriously as it should be taken. That was literally life-threatening, and she got off with as "punishment."
Cakes, man.
At least she realised in the middle of the incident that it doesn't feel good to sink to Meredith's level. That's a good lesson... it just makes me cringe reading it.
The ending is good, and I appreciate that it wraps up the way it did. Win/win, I think. It just doesn't make up for the third act twist in my mind. (I'm pretty serious about )
Note: Undecided if I should tag "Jewish" because Kylie's mom suggests she had planned to give her a certain gift for Chanukah, but it's possible she was being facetious. No other specifically Jewish indicators that I could tell, though.
1. because I was cringing the INSTANT I read , because Rule of Drama means that will NOT be avoided, and
2. it made me go bake a cake that I absolutely shouldn't eat (I wasn't in the mood to do individual cupcakes, though).
Basic plot: New girl (Kylie) is reviled by the popular girl bully (Meredith) for accidentally hitting her with a shoe, endless bully-related incidents ensue.
The thing about bullies is that, in a *normal* slice-of-life story, there are only a few possible plotlines:
1. Bully is reformed and possibly even befriends the protagonist(s)
2. Bully is thwarted or neutralised, but the relationship between bully and protagonist(s) remains the same
3. Bully gets away with it and continues business as normal
This book ... which I expected, and that's fine and good. However, how it got there is a bit of a teeth-gritting session.
Firstly, Ms. Dubois (Juliette) is a super good teacher, and everyone should have someone like her in their lives. The fact that she is able to see through Kylie's attempts to downplay Meredith's bullying and get her to recruit three other "outcasts" to form a baking club is a lovely counter-bullying measure, to rally one's "found family." Zero complaints here, just noting before I forget.
Secondly, the fact that they form a cupcake BUSINESS, in FOURTH GRADE, where they are taking almost as many orders as a whole GROWN-UP bakery might, is pretty ridiculous. I get that they're supposed to look successful to show Meredith that living well is the best revenge, but... child labour laws, anyone?
Thirdly, the aforementioned had me reeling from the instant I read . How Kylie didn't get in half the trouble she SHOULD have gotten in is unthinkable, and I can only assume it's from the adults party to the incident not taking it as seriously as it should be taken. That was literally life-threatening, and she got off with as "punishment."
Cakes, man.
At least she realised in the middle of the incident that it doesn't feel good to sink to Meredith's level. That's a good lesson... it just makes me cringe reading it.
The ending is good, and I appreciate that it wraps up the way it did. Win/win, I think. It just doesn't make up for the third act twist in my mind. (I'm pretty serious about )
Note: Undecided if I should tag "Jewish" because Kylie's mom suggests she had planned to give her a certain gift for Chanukah, but it's possible she was being facetious. No other specifically Jewish indicators that I could tell, though.
July 4, 2024
Most of the people who have read/reviewed these books seem to be either children or parents who have read these books with their children. I'm not either of those people, instead I'm a nostalgic twenty-something with way too much time on her hands.
I went through a huge cupcake phase between the ages of 10-12 and the series was one of my favorites, especially the first one. Reading it now, I can definitely see what other readers have said about it being unrealistic. It would've made *slightly* more sense if the girls were in middle school instead of late elementary. You can also tell that a child was involved as the writing style and certain lines of dialogue/character names, which has its own cringey sort of charm lol. Also, minor spoilers, but Kylie should've been removed as president of the club, if not the club entirely because of a decision she makes towards the end of the book, but at least she regrets the decision, and it comes with a good moral.
As far as other positives, the girls all feel like distinct, likeable characters, and I relate to the struggles of baking and trying new recipes.
Not a ton to say, it holds up decently well for what it is and it's a good time : )
P.S. I made the “Eco-licious chocolate cupcakes” from this book. Not sure how eco-friendly they actually were but they were tasty. I made some modifications to make them gluten and dairy free friendly so if the recipe didn't turn out like it's supposed to, that's one me, haha (although I've had a lot of success with GF 1:1 flour).
The cupcakes turned out fine although they didn’t rise as much as I would’ve liked. I also completely ignored the frosting recipe since I didn’t want to make frosting with corn syrup. Ended up using my Mom’s chocolate buttercream recipe instead. Overall, 7/10, although I wouldn’t use this particular recipe for cupcakes again since I have another GF-DF chocolate cupcake recipe that I like much better.
I went through a huge cupcake phase between the ages of 10-12 and the series was one of my favorites, especially the first one. Reading it now, I can definitely see what other readers have said about it being unrealistic. It would've made *slightly* more sense if the girls were in middle school instead of late elementary. You can also tell that a child was involved as the writing style and certain lines of dialogue/character names, which has its own cringey sort of charm lol. Also, minor spoilers, but Kylie should've been removed as president of the club, if not the club entirely because of a decision she makes towards the end of the book, but at least she regrets the decision, and it comes with a good moral.
As far as other positives, the girls all feel like distinct, likeable characters, and I relate to the struggles of baking and trying new recipes.
Not a ton to say, it holds up decently well for what it is and it's a good time : )
P.S. I made the “Eco-licious chocolate cupcakes” from this book. Not sure how eco-friendly they actually were but they were tasty. I made some modifications to make them gluten and dairy free friendly so if the recipe didn't turn out like it's supposed to, that's one me, haha (although I've had a lot of success with GF 1:1 flour).
The cupcakes turned out fine although they didn’t rise as much as I would’ve liked. I also completely ignored the frosting recipe since I didn’t want to make frosting with corn syrup. Ended up using my Mom’s chocolate buttercream recipe instead. Overall, 7/10, although I wouldn’t use this particular recipe for cupcakes again since I have another GF-DF chocolate cupcake recipe that I like much better.
May 25, 2019
First off, I just want to say that when I was growing up I was never a fan of "girly" books. I was a total tomboy and all I wanted to do was play with blocks and watch wrestling. Now that we've got that out of the way, I can say I really enjoyed this book. I found the fourth book in the series at a pantry one day and decided to start reading the series from the beginning. I was not disappointed. Even though this was told from Kylie's perspective, this story was all about Meredith. Meredith is the girl you love to hate. She was the biggest bully and when she found out Kylie was trying to start a cupcake club she did everything she could to sabotage it out of jealousy. I think children everywhere can relate to this story because every school has at least one bully.
May 3, 2019
Peace, Love and Cupcakes - Book #1 in The Cupcake Club Series by Sheryl Berk
I dearly love this book - I read this as a Library E Book. I love this Series. I am planning on Reading Book #2 sometime soon.
There are Cupcakes Recipes in this book and they sound so very delicious.
I give this Book 5/5 Stars.
Happy Reading :)
I dearly love this book - I read this as a Library E Book. I love this Series. I am planning on Reading Book #2 sometime soon.
There are Cupcakes Recipes in this book and they sound so very delicious.
I give this Book 5/5 Stars.
Happy Reading :)
September 20, 2022
This was such a great book! The characters were well developed and relatable. There are many lessons for young ones to learn in this book. There's bullying, lying, anger, etc. All outcomes for all parties were positive learning experiences. The cover is adorable. I think I'll be buying my grandson the series!
December 26, 2020
Read this with my 8 year old. Good story with important lessons. My kid loved the book. At the end, they included 3 recipes from the story for people to make on their own. We celebrated the end of the book by making one of the recipes. It was yummy.
March 12, 2022
Literally the worst book I have ever read, I wouldn't even buy it for my dog. Honestly I would rather scrape my eyes out with a rusty fork than read even a page of the book again. Sends a terrible message to young kids about bullying and feels like an off brand american girl doll story lol.
July 9, 2017
4/5 stars
July 10, 2019
Well, I feel like she got rewarded for being mean more than she was punished. That part could have been better done. But I loved all the creativity in thinking up cupcake ideas and flavours!
March 3, 2022
did not like it!
March 21, 2023
It doesn’t tell you specific things such as the plot and the protagonist/ antagonist.
October 7, 2023
Really good book it’s short and easy to read there are also recipes in the back to try at home I tryed the red velvet one it was really good but they look like chocolate because of the coco In it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2024
Read this to my daughter, thought it was a cute book I would have enjoyed this as a kid
October 21, 2024
My childhood in a cupcake.
October 29, 2017
This is such a cute middle grade book!
October 21, 2022
Amazing!
May 5, 2012
PEACE, LOVE AND CUPCAKES is the first book in the new series The Cupcake Club by Sheryl Berk & Carrie Berk, a mother-daughter writing team. This series is going to be perfect for kids in the grade 4 and 5 age range as it revolves around Kylie, a grade four student.
Kylie has only been at her Connecticut school for a year, and grade four is just as awful as grade 3. Meredith, a popular girl at school, won’t stop making fun of her and saying cruel things and Kylie’s favourite teacher is moving. Just when things couldn’t get any worse, the new drama teacher turns out to be not so bad, and invites Kylie to help her put together a baking club. Gathering three other “outsiders” to the club, Kylie, Lexi, Sadie and Jenna soon go from a baking club to a cupcake club, selling cupcakes and banding together against Meredith and her bullying.
PEACE, LOVE AND CUPCAKES showcases wonderful character voices – Kylie and her friends talk and behave very much like many of the grade fours I know, and while they try to act as mature as possible they are still kids, and make mistakes. Though Meredith is a bully, Sheryl and Carrie Berk do a good job of showing the readers that Meredith is still a child as well, and as her own insecurities and confusion about her place in school. The obstacles that Kylie and the Cupcake Club have to overcome and quite realistic and will keep you turning the pages to figure out what will happen next, and if the girls will make the right choices.
Although a little skeptical that ten year olds would be able to handle the pressure and workload needed to run not just a Cupcake Club but a business, it is easy to set aside that skepticism and just enjoy reading about four grade four girls that manage to start up a successful cupcake selling business quite by accident. PEACE, LOVE AND CUPCAKES is a wonderful start to a fun new series, and the cupcake recipes found at the end of the book will allow for some sweet adventures in the kitchen while waiting for book two to hit shelves.
Originally posted at Escape Through the Pages with a 4.5 our of 5 rating.
Kylie has only been at her Connecticut school for a year, and grade four is just as awful as grade 3. Meredith, a popular girl at school, won’t stop making fun of her and saying cruel things and Kylie’s favourite teacher is moving. Just when things couldn’t get any worse, the new drama teacher turns out to be not so bad, and invites Kylie to help her put together a baking club. Gathering three other “outsiders” to the club, Kylie, Lexi, Sadie and Jenna soon go from a baking club to a cupcake club, selling cupcakes and banding together against Meredith and her bullying.
PEACE, LOVE AND CUPCAKES showcases wonderful character voices – Kylie and her friends talk and behave very much like many of the grade fours I know, and while they try to act as mature as possible they are still kids, and make mistakes. Though Meredith is a bully, Sheryl and Carrie Berk do a good job of showing the readers that Meredith is still a child as well, and as her own insecurities and confusion about her place in school. The obstacles that Kylie and the Cupcake Club have to overcome and quite realistic and will keep you turning the pages to figure out what will happen next, and if the girls will make the right choices.
Although a little skeptical that ten year olds would be able to handle the pressure and workload needed to run not just a Cupcake Club but a business, it is easy to set aside that skepticism and just enjoy reading about four grade four girls that manage to start up a successful cupcake selling business quite by accident. PEACE, LOVE AND CUPCAKES is a wonderful start to a fun new series, and the cupcake recipes found at the end of the book will allow for some sweet adventures in the kitchen while waiting for book two to hit shelves.
Originally posted at Escape Through the Pages with a 4.5 our of 5 rating.
May 17, 2012
I enjoy baking, and I also really love cupcakes, so Brenna thought that this would be a good pick for me. Although this book was written for a younger audience, I really liked it and thought that it was pretty was pretty good novel that I didn't find overly juvenile (and the cupcakes were a neat twist). This one could definitely be enjoyed by readers who like reading MG books.
Reasons to Read:
1.Kylie as a well-rounded character:
Judging from the cover, you'd figure that Kylie is a really girly girl whose main interests are mostly about fashion, makeup, and baking. She has a bit of a unique twist, though. She is a huge fan of monster movies. I thought that this put a nice, fresh twist on her personality. She was constantly making references to the movies themselves, which I found to be quite amusing. I also found her to be very likable. She isn't just a victim to bullying who sobs about it. She tries to make friends, but it just never seems to work out for her.
2.The Cupcake Club:
I think that this is one of the best ideas for a club ever. I mean, I would totally join this club if it was available at my school! Nevertheless, I liked the role that it had to play in the story. I liked how it brought together all the main characters, making them form a strong friendship. I thought that this was a unique club idea in a novel, and something I could really relate to.
On top of that, there are cupcake recipes in the back of the book. Pretty awesome, right? I haven't tried any of them out yet, but I'm hoping to do that soon!
I did find that I rolled by eyes at the mean girl, Meredith. I really disliked her, she just seemed really annoying and kind of lame without any real reason or motivations.
Other that, though I thought that this was a pretty good book for the younger crowd, or even if you're in your mid-teenage years (and are mildly addicted to cupcakes, like I am)!
ARC received from Raincoast Books.
Reasons to Read:
1.Kylie as a well-rounded character:
Judging from the cover, you'd figure that Kylie is a really girly girl whose main interests are mostly about fashion, makeup, and baking. She has a bit of a unique twist, though. She is a huge fan of monster movies. I thought that this put a nice, fresh twist on her personality. She was constantly making references to the movies themselves, which I found to be quite amusing. I also found her to be very likable. She isn't just a victim to bullying who sobs about it. She tries to make friends, but it just never seems to work out for her.
2.The Cupcake Club:
I think that this is one of the best ideas for a club ever. I mean, I would totally join this club if it was available at my school! Nevertheless, I liked the role that it had to play in the story. I liked how it brought together all the main characters, making them form a strong friendship. I thought that this was a unique club idea in a novel, and something I could really relate to.
On top of that, there are cupcake recipes in the back of the book. Pretty awesome, right? I haven't tried any of them out yet, but I'm hoping to do that soon!
I did find that I rolled by eyes at the mean girl, Meredith. I really disliked her, she just seemed really annoying and kind of lame without any real reason or motivations.
Other that, though I thought that this was a pretty good book for the younger crowd, or even if you're in your mid-teenage years (and are mildly addicted to cupcakes, like I am)!
ARC received from Raincoast Books.
January 30, 2015
Some time last year, I received one of these adorable little Cupcake Club books for review purposes -- so, I decided I may as well go back to the first book in the series, to see where it all began.
Hence, PEACE LOVE AND CUPCAKES.
Starting with the cover -- too cute for words! My eight or nine year old self would have absolutely LOVED the sweet, pink girliness of the cover art.
Moving along to the plot and characters --- PEACE LOVE AND CUPCAKES introduces young readers to Kylie, a fourth grader who has recently moved to a new school where she has become the instant victim of a seemingly rich and perfect girl named Meredith. Being constantly teased and mocked by the popular girls, Kylie has a rough time making friends -- until one of her teachers suggests that Kylie lead a school baking club.
As Kylie recruits classmates to bake cupcakes with her new club, she struggles to overcome the frustrations and embarrassments of Meredith's hurtful shenanigans without becoming a mean girl herself. When the opportunity arises, will Kylie seek revenge against the girl who has hurt her most?
PEACE LOVE AND CUPCAKES provides an enjoyable story that will entertain young readers while presenting moral lessons in a way that will keep young girls engaged.This would probably be a great series for girls around the same age as the main character, I think, or maybe even younger.
That said, I'm not sure this is one of those series that would continue to keep an adult interested. I mean, most books at this level that readers my age grab for fun are mostly tied to nostalgia anyways, right? (Baby Sitter's Club -- I'm talking to you!)
Overall, this was a pretty good read, although I'm not sure I'll continue the series in the future.
Hence, PEACE LOVE AND CUPCAKES.
Starting with the cover -- too cute for words! My eight or nine year old self would have absolutely LOVED the sweet, pink girliness of the cover art.
Moving along to the plot and characters --- PEACE LOVE AND CUPCAKES introduces young readers to Kylie, a fourth grader who has recently moved to a new school where she has become the instant victim of a seemingly rich and perfect girl named Meredith. Being constantly teased and mocked by the popular girls, Kylie has a rough time making friends -- until one of her teachers suggests that Kylie lead a school baking club.
As Kylie recruits classmates to bake cupcakes with her new club, she struggles to overcome the frustrations and embarrassments of Meredith's hurtful shenanigans without becoming a mean girl herself. When the opportunity arises, will Kylie seek revenge against the girl who has hurt her most?
PEACE LOVE AND CUPCAKES provides an enjoyable story that will entertain young readers while presenting moral lessons in a way that will keep young girls engaged.This would probably be a great series for girls around the same age as the main character, I think, or maybe even younger.
That said, I'm not sure this is one of those series that would continue to keep an adult interested. I mean, most books at this level that readers my age grab for fun are mostly tied to nostalgia anyways, right? (Baby Sitter's Club -- I'm talking to you!)
Overall, this was a pretty good read, although I'm not sure I'll continue the series in the future.
April 16, 2012
You can read my review of The Cupcake Club: Peace, Love Cupcakes on my blog
Warning: You WILL want a cupcake after reading The Cupcake Club: Peace, Love & Cupcakes!
This book is overall just plain cute. It is a very cute book and a great book for a young girl to read. It also hits on issues such as bullying, money, small business, failure and making friends. Kylie is a character that does her best to move past the bullying and to do something to make her life happier and more enjoyable and in the process, also helps other girls and she makes new friends. All of these girls have a great work ethic and it makes me proud of them.
I loved reading about all of the successes and failures the club had while baking. At first you get to see them make the worst cupcakes and then before you know it, they are making cupcakes that people are buying and they are getting more orders they can’t even handle. I loved the “Batter Butt Dance”…had me cracking up!
This book is packed with baking tips and tricks that are perfect for a younger crowd…or even brand new bakers. The recipes that are included at the back of the book are simple to follow. The Berks also include a list of tips for the new cupcake baker that I found to be helpful.
One day when I was reading this book at park, a little girl came up to me and asked me about it! Obviously the cover is eye catching to the right audience! My four-year-old is even jealous of my book!
Warning: You WILL want a cupcake after reading The Cupcake Club: Peace, Love & Cupcakes!
This book is overall just plain cute. It is a very cute book and a great book for a young girl to read. It also hits on issues such as bullying, money, small business, failure and making friends. Kylie is a character that does her best to move past the bullying and to do something to make her life happier and more enjoyable and in the process, also helps other girls and she makes new friends. All of these girls have a great work ethic and it makes me proud of them.
I loved reading about all of the successes and failures the club had while baking. At first you get to see them make the worst cupcakes and then before you know it, they are making cupcakes that people are buying and they are getting more orders they can’t even handle. I loved the “Batter Butt Dance”…had me cracking up!
This book is packed with baking tips and tricks that are perfect for a younger crowd…or even brand new bakers. The recipes that are included at the back of the book are simple to follow. The Berks also include a list of tips for the new cupcake baker that I found to be helpful.
One day when I was reading this book at park, a little girl came up to me and asked me about it! Obviously the cover is eye catching to the right audience! My four-year-old is even jealous of my book!
June 3, 2012
Kylie Carson is the odd man out...or new fourth-grader in this case. She's somewhat shy, not really great at anything, and doesn't have any friends since she moved to Connecticut with her family. And, to make matters worse, she is being bullied by super popular Meredith Mitchell.
Enter a very wise, very hip first year drama teacher, Ms. Juliette DuBois. She notices the pain that Kylie is living with each day at school, even though the other teachers don't. Juliette confides in Kylie and tells her that she was also bullied when she was her age. She suggests that she seeks out other kids who are loners and start a club...and that just what she does! The Cupcake Club: Peace, Love, & Cupcakes, or PLC, is born. Under the tutelage of Ms. DuBois, the girls become masterful at each and every new creation, and are actually making money from their enterprise!
But, when the club has a new customer, and it is none other than Mrs. Mitchell, Meredith's mother, emotions get the best of Kylie. Is her new business 'out-of-business' now? A good, hard look at the effect of bullying on kids. This short novel is packed with tons of ammunition for discussion.
Enter a very wise, very hip first year drama teacher, Ms. Juliette DuBois. She notices the pain that Kylie is living with each day at school, even though the other teachers don't. Juliette confides in Kylie and tells her that she was also bullied when she was her age. She suggests that she seeks out other kids who are loners and start a club...and that just what she does! The Cupcake Club: Peace, Love, & Cupcakes, or PLC, is born. Under the tutelage of Ms. DuBois, the girls become masterful at each and every new creation, and are actually making money from their enterprise!
But, when the club has a new customer, and it is none other than Mrs. Mitchell, Meredith's mother, emotions get the best of Kylie. Is her new business 'out-of-business' now? A good, hard look at the effect of bullying on kids. This short novel is packed with tons of ammunition for discussion.
July 6, 2012
The Deal: Kylie has never quite felt like she fit in at her new school, particularly because the queen B, Meredith, dislikes her and keeps the other girls of her grade from being friends with her.
After one disastrous drama-club performance, Kylie feels more in the outs than ever.But with the help of her new drama teacher Kylie decides to form a baking club, and soon she and the other class misfits - Jenna, Lexi and Sadie - are baking like mad.
After a couple less than successful tries, the girls get the baking going - each girl playing to their own strengths, like Lexi's artistic side puts her in charge of decorations and Jenna is the chief taster - and, without even meaning to, a business too.
My Thoughts: Peace, Love and Cupcakes is a rather sweet book, I don't deny it, but it's also a very young book - the characters are all in the third grade - which makes some of the things that happens even more unbelievable than usual.
Still, for the younger crowd, I think it might be very enjoyable - the chapters are short, the language simple and the plot cute - but I can't really see teens or even tweens sticking to the book for long.
After one disastrous drama-club performance, Kylie feels more in the outs than ever.But with the help of her new drama teacher Kylie decides to form a baking club, and soon she and the other class misfits - Jenna, Lexi and Sadie - are baking like mad.
After a couple less than successful tries, the girls get the baking going - each girl playing to their own strengths, like Lexi's artistic side puts her in charge of decorations and Jenna is the chief taster - and, without even meaning to, a business too.
My Thoughts: Peace, Love and Cupcakes is a rather sweet book, I don't deny it, but it's also a very young book - the characters are all in the third grade - which makes some of the things that happens even more unbelievable than usual.
Still, for the younger crowd, I think it might be very enjoyable - the chapters are short, the language simple and the plot cute - but I can't really see teens or even tweens sticking to the book for long.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews