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Evertaster #1
Evertaster
| Age 9 and up | Grade 4 and up
"Wonderfully talented writing; funny." -- Orson Scott Card, NYT Bestselling Author of Ender's Game .
" Sidwell is a talented comedian, and that is certainly reflected in his writing. The characters are quirky and likable." - Deseret News
"One of the most original, well-crafted and imaginative MG stories I've come across in a long time. " - WordSpelunking Book Review
When eleven-year-old Guster Johnsonville rejects his mother's casserole for the umpteenth time, she takes him into the city of New Orleans to find him something to eat. There, in a dark, abandoned corner of the city they meet a dying pastry maker. In his last breath he entrusts them with a an ancient recipe that makes the most delicious taste the world will ever know -- a taste that will change the fate of humanity forever.
Forced to flee by a cult of murderous chefs, the Johnsonvilles embark on a perilous journey to ancient ruins, faraway jungles and forgotten caves. Along the way they discover the Guster is an Evertaster -- a kid so picky that nothing but the legendary taste itself will save him from starvation. With the sinister chefs hot on Guster's heels and the chefs' reign of terror spreading, Guster and his family must find the legendary taste before it's too late.
"Wonderfully talented writing; funny." -- Orson Scott Card, NYT Bestselling Author of Ender's Game .
" Sidwell is a talented comedian, and that is certainly reflected in his writing. The characters are quirky and likable." - Deseret News
"One of the most original, well-crafted and imaginative MG stories I've come across in a long time. " - WordSpelunking Book Review
When eleven-year-old Guster Johnsonville rejects his mother's casserole for the umpteenth time, she takes him into the city of New Orleans to find him something to eat. There, in a dark, abandoned corner of the city they meet a dying pastry maker. In his last breath he entrusts them with a an ancient recipe that makes the most delicious taste the world will ever know -- a taste that will change the fate of humanity forever.
Forced to flee by a cult of murderous chefs, the Johnsonvilles embark on a perilous journey to ancient ruins, faraway jungles and forgotten caves. Along the way they discover the Guster is an Evertaster -- a kid so picky that nothing but the legendary taste itself will save him from starvation. With the sinister chefs hot on Guster's heels and the chefs' reign of terror spreading, Guster and his family must find the legendary taste before it's too late.
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2012
49 people are currently reading
1672 people want to read
About the author
Adam Glendon Sidwell
7 books259 followersIn between books, Adam Glendon Sidwell uses the power of computers to make monsters, robots and zombies come to life for blockbuster movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, King Kong, Transformers and Tron. After spending countless hours in front of a keyboard meticulously adjusting tentacles, calibrating hydraulics, and brushing monkey fur, he is delighted at the prospect of modifying his creations with the flick of a few deftly placed adjectives. He's been eating food since age 7, so feels very qualified to write this book. He once showed a famous movie star where the bathroom was. Adam currently lives in Los Angeles, where he can't wait to fall into the sea.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
July 24, 2012
Well guys. I wrote this book so I'm not too qualified to say that it's awesome, because I guess I would've written another one if I didn't think so. Hope you enjoy! Come get it on AMAZON.
May 30, 2012
Well, it's not often I find a book I don't want to put down, but Evertaster had me trying to find a break at work where I could fit in a chapter or two. The story is well paced and consistently had me wondering, "What's next?"
The story begins with a young Guster Johnsonville and his peculiar taste buds. A seemingly routine task to find Guster something to eat, that doesn't make him think his mother is trying to starve him to death, turns into a globetrotting quest to find the ultimate taste...and a recipe that some say promises to save the world. There's just one problem, Guster isn't the only one looking for this rumored ancient recipe.
Guster's adventures take him to remote islands, dense jungles, mountain peaks, and...Nevada? You'll just have to read it to find out why for yourself. He makes big friends with heart-warming brothers Storfjell and Torbjorn and their circus-like bovine farming and crosses paths with unsavories like Palatus who think Guster is wasting his talents.
Evertaster would appeal to: young adults, foodies, adventure and mystery readers, and anyone who likes a good story. I'd say it's a cross of the mystery of The Da Vinci Code meets the whimsical food adventure of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Evertaster satisfied my appetite for adventure and left me craving a good dessert.
The story begins with a young Guster Johnsonville and his peculiar taste buds. A seemingly routine task to find Guster something to eat, that doesn't make him think his mother is trying to starve him to death, turns into a globetrotting quest to find the ultimate taste...and a recipe that some say promises to save the world. There's just one problem, Guster isn't the only one looking for this rumored ancient recipe.
Guster's adventures take him to remote islands, dense jungles, mountain peaks, and...Nevada? You'll just have to read it to find out why for yourself. He makes big friends with heart-warming brothers Storfjell and Torbjorn and their circus-like bovine farming and crosses paths with unsavories like Palatus who think Guster is wasting his talents.
Evertaster would appeal to: young adults, foodies, adventure and mystery readers, and anyone who likes a good story. I'd say it's a cross of the mystery of The Da Vinci Code meets the whimsical food adventure of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Evertaster satisfied my appetite for adventure and left me craving a good dessert.
October 25, 2012
This book has received so many rave reviews--I wanted to like it, but I just didn't. A very few positives: it's clean and not too violent or scary, it has a couple of sweet moments, and the premise is unique. Unfortunately, the negatives really outweighed the positives for me. It's not well written--it's predictable, the dialogue is disjointed, and the writing really shows a lack of experience. It doesn't give (even young) readers much credit--always states the obvious, not challenging at all. It seems to me that Sidwell is just trying to copy Brandon Mull's or Rick Riordan's style. The biggest drawback of all: horrible editing. I just have the hardest time understanding how a published book can be so poorly edited/proofread! And this wasn't just a few missed typos--it's full of basic spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes. Very frustrating. I won't have my kids read this one.
May 31, 2012
This book has the adventure of Percy Jackson and the quirky mystery of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. As an adult, I couldn't put it down. I can wait to order a few copies for my nieces and nephews' birthdays! Such a fun read.
August 22, 2012
I'm pretty sure the author of this book is the guy who was in my History of Creativity class in college who, for his final project, built a boat out of empty milk cartons and attempted to sail it across the local lake. Remembering that, I figured this book was worth checking out. I'm not 100% positive that this was written by the same milk-carton guy, but I'm glad I read the book either way.
At first I wasn't sure about this book. The unusual food-theme, the corny, corny names like Epiglottis, and Italo Arrivederci, it was a bit too much. I told myself it was a kids book and read on. Then it got into the mystery and adventure and just didn't let up. This is an intense little book. I was really liking it. And then I got to the ending and the writing got down right poetic and, I don't want to give too much away but my mouth was watering and my heart was being warmed. Great writing at the end. I really liked this book. There were some odd parts, for sure, but they were endearing.
Now, I don't know, one of my kids is a really picky eater, and so some of the family tension really hit home for me and maybe it won't for everyone, but in addition to the fun mystery/action/adventure stuff there were some fairly poignant parts to this book. Surprising. Not what I expected after the first couple pages, but it went a long way to cement my enjoyment of the story. I can't wait for that kid to read the book himself and hear what he thinks of it.
UPDATE: The picky-eater read it and loved it (but still refused to eat his dinner).
At first I wasn't sure about this book. The unusual food-theme, the corny, corny names like Epiglottis, and Italo Arrivederci, it was a bit too much. I told myself it was a kids book and read on. Then it got into the mystery and adventure and just didn't let up. This is an intense little book. I was really liking it. And then I got to the ending and the writing got down right poetic and, I don't want to give too much away but my mouth was watering and my heart was being warmed. Great writing at the end. I really liked this book. There were some odd parts, for sure, but they were endearing.
Now, I don't know, one of my kids is a really picky eater, and so some of the family tension really hit home for me and maybe it won't for everyone, but in addition to the fun mystery/action/adventure stuff there were some fairly poignant parts to this book. Surprising. Not what I expected after the first couple pages, but it went a long way to cement my enjoyment of the story. I can't wait for that kid to read the book himself and hear what he thinks of it.
UPDATE: The picky-eater read it and loved it (but still refused to eat his dinner).
April 15, 2014
I'm excited. My daughter and I are always looking for series that peak her interest. I cook professionally and she loves being my sous chef at home. What a great premise for a series!!! So excited.
May 10, 2012
I loved it! I ditched work just so I could read it - finished it in two sittings.
August 18, 2012
When I read the premise of this book, I knew I wanted to read it. An 11-year old picky eater? A desperate mom in search of something for her son to eat? The discovery of a legendary recipe that takes the Johnsonvilles on a wild adventurous journey through ancient ruins, deep jungles and forgotten caves? Yup, we were in. I read this book with my daughter and we loved it! We especially liked all the descriptions of the food and how they tasted. We were drooling and hungry every time we read it.
Guster Johnsonville is a picky eater whose taste buds are so enhanced he can taste where the orange was grown the minute he bites into it. This can bring untold delight if he eats food prepared by a chef who uses only the best ingredients and has spent countless hours perfecting the meal, but becomes a problem for him when his mom puts together a simple casserole. He refuses everything she makes, making him hungry and so skinny it drives his mother to desperate measures. Sounds familiar?
They end up at a patisserie in New Orleans where a dying pastry chef tells him of the One Recipe called The Gastronomy of Peace, a recipe so delicious that if you tasted it, you'd never want to eat anything again. Then he gives Guster an old eggbeater just before they are attacked by an evil chef dressed all in red who chases them with a meat cleaver. They discover the eggbeater has symbols engraved on its handle and instructions they figure leads them to the One Recipe. So together with all his siblings, including his smart sister Mariah and his toddler brother, Guster's mom piles her family into the car and they take off. Thus the adventure to faraway lands begins.
In many ways this book reminded me of The 39 Clues series, because the Johnsonvilles were on a search for a formula (the One Recipe) that could change the world. It was full of adventure, quirky characters, funny situations and dangerous missions. I loved that there was a mom involved in this family adventure story. She was a cool, but typical mom.
The evil chef was part of the Cult of Gastronimatti who were also after the One Recipe. The chase was on and Guster and his family tried to stay one step ahead of them, making this an exciting and suspenseful read. Sometimes my daughter would ask me to re-read certain sections because she didn't quite get what was going on (there was a lot of action), but overall we loved the action and appropriately felt both Guster and his mom's dilemmas. The scenes are so vivid, we could easily see them in a movie, and no wonder for the author has a career that puts his computer graphic skills to use in creating characters for blockbuster films.
This is a story that celebrates good food, family unity, mothers, and ultimately the love that comes from a good home-cooked meal. We're excited that further perilous delicious adventures are soon to come in the second book of this series, Evertaster – The Delicious City. For all lovers of chocolate, good food, and action-adventure tales, Evertaster will have you looking for that One Recipe in your life too. Highly recommended if you want a fun book to read!
Guster Johnsonville is a picky eater whose taste buds are so enhanced he can taste where the orange was grown the minute he bites into it. This can bring untold delight if he eats food prepared by a chef who uses only the best ingredients and has spent countless hours perfecting the meal, but becomes a problem for him when his mom puts together a simple casserole. He refuses everything she makes, making him hungry and so skinny it drives his mother to desperate measures. Sounds familiar?
They end up at a patisserie in New Orleans where a dying pastry chef tells him of the One Recipe called The Gastronomy of Peace, a recipe so delicious that if you tasted it, you'd never want to eat anything again. Then he gives Guster an old eggbeater just before they are attacked by an evil chef dressed all in red who chases them with a meat cleaver. They discover the eggbeater has symbols engraved on its handle and instructions they figure leads them to the One Recipe. So together with all his siblings, including his smart sister Mariah and his toddler brother, Guster's mom piles her family into the car and they take off. Thus the adventure to faraway lands begins.
In many ways this book reminded me of The 39 Clues series, because the Johnsonvilles were on a search for a formula (the One Recipe) that could change the world. It was full of adventure, quirky characters, funny situations and dangerous missions. I loved that there was a mom involved in this family adventure story. She was a cool, but typical mom.
The evil chef was part of the Cult of Gastronimatti who were also after the One Recipe. The chase was on and Guster and his family tried to stay one step ahead of them, making this an exciting and suspenseful read. Sometimes my daughter would ask me to re-read certain sections because she didn't quite get what was going on (there was a lot of action), but overall we loved the action and appropriately felt both Guster and his mom's dilemmas. The scenes are so vivid, we could easily see them in a movie, and no wonder for the author has a career that puts his computer graphic skills to use in creating characters for blockbuster films.
This is a story that celebrates good food, family unity, mothers, and ultimately the love that comes from a good home-cooked meal. We're excited that further perilous delicious adventures are soon to come in the second book of this series, Evertaster – The Delicious City. For all lovers of chocolate, good food, and action-adventure tales, Evertaster will have you looking for that One Recipe in your life too. Highly recommended if you want a fun book to read!
September 28, 2012
I think this is a book my nine-year-old would probably really enjoy. It's exciting and I cared about the characters. I have a few complaints, but generally the plot was engaging and had the right level of complexity. I greatly apprecited how clean it was, except for some minor violence--such as clever-throwing bad guys and gun-firing mercenaries. It was a fun mystery. The best part was the end when Guster learns to appreciate his mother's cooking because he realizes it is made with love.
May 17, 2012
It's always fun when you can find a book that you want to stay up reading late at night. I kept saying to myself "one more chapter....then I'll go to bed." Make sure you have some munchies when you read it though. This book made me hungry.
June 5, 2015
A little too fast paced and unbelievable in the beginning. They just seemed to accept things easily. I might have been too old for this book for me to completely enjoy it. Too bad. I expected more...
(Longer review to come)
(Longer review to come)
July 9, 2012
Sometimes reading a book- a really, really awesome book- is an experience equivalent to savoring something super yummy. Well, reading Adam Glendon Sidwell’s Evertaster was like snacking on the most delectable, homemade cupcakes...yeah, it’s that good!
Guster Johnsonville takes being a picky eater to a whole new level. Nothing makes his taste buds dance. Fed up with his fickle ways, his mother takes him to New Orleans to find something he’ll eat and they come across a dying baker who changes their lives. The baker tells them of the Gastronomy of Peace, an ancient and secret recipe that could change the world and before he can tell them the whole story they’re attacked by mysterious chefs in red. Suddenly Guster, his mom, his sister and two brothers find themselves on the run from a secret society and in search of the secret ingredients for the Gastronomy of Peace. With only a strange, old egg beater as a map, the Johnsonvilles head out on the adventure of their lives that takes them across the globe.
Smart. Refreshing. Wonderfully written. Full of superb characters and exciting adventure. These are just a few ways to describe this fantastic MG book! Evertaster is bursting with flavor, fun and fabulousness.
Sidwell has created one of the most original, well-crafted and imaginative MG stories I’ve come across in a long time. I love the idea of being an Evertaster, someone who doesn’t simply taste their food, but taste the soil it grew in, the ocean wind that blew across a lemon, the clovers the cows, whose milk you’re drinking, ate, the rain that fell upon the veggies. Or as it says in the book:
Someone who tastes every flavor that ever touched every ingredient in his food. They taste time. They taste history. (Kindle, location 1450)
This book pulled me in from page one (I couldn’t put it down!) and held me enchanted till the very last word. The author writes with a clever, addicting voice that will captivate readers of all ages and the settings are vivid and lush. The story is quite cinematic and I could see every detail play out in my mind and almost taste every scrumptious tidbit.
The adventure is exciting and suspenseful with a mystery that is like the Da Vinci code for kids. There are enough thrills, twists and bad guys to keep even the most discerning palates satisfied. And I love that the whole Johnsonville family takes this journey together. Not many MG books feature parental characters that are significantly involved throughout the whole plot, but in Evertaster Mrs. Johnsonville is an important (and great!) character. But that doesn’t mean that the younger characters aren’t courageous heroes and heroines, because they are. Guster and his siblings are charming, clever young characters that readers will easily relate to.
I love how the book concludes, but I’m ecstatic that the adventures will continue in the sequel.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS: From the spellbinding adventure, original story and engaging characters, I love everything about this dazzling and imaginative debut! This book reminds me of why I adore MG fiction (and makes me want to bake!). A MUST read book that I recommend for readers all ages!
Guster Johnsonville takes being a picky eater to a whole new level. Nothing makes his taste buds dance. Fed up with his fickle ways, his mother takes him to New Orleans to find something he’ll eat and they come across a dying baker who changes their lives. The baker tells them of the Gastronomy of Peace, an ancient and secret recipe that could change the world and before he can tell them the whole story they’re attacked by mysterious chefs in red. Suddenly Guster, his mom, his sister and two brothers find themselves on the run from a secret society and in search of the secret ingredients for the Gastronomy of Peace. With only a strange, old egg beater as a map, the Johnsonvilles head out on the adventure of their lives that takes them across the globe.
Smart. Refreshing. Wonderfully written. Full of superb characters and exciting adventure. These are just a few ways to describe this fantastic MG book! Evertaster is bursting with flavor, fun and fabulousness.
Sidwell has created one of the most original, well-crafted and imaginative MG stories I’ve come across in a long time. I love the idea of being an Evertaster, someone who doesn’t simply taste their food, but taste the soil it grew in, the ocean wind that blew across a lemon, the clovers the cows, whose milk you’re drinking, ate, the rain that fell upon the veggies. Or as it says in the book:
Someone who tastes every flavor that ever touched every ingredient in his food. They taste time. They taste history. (Kindle, location 1450)
This book pulled me in from page one (I couldn’t put it down!) and held me enchanted till the very last word. The author writes with a clever, addicting voice that will captivate readers of all ages and the settings are vivid and lush. The story is quite cinematic and I could see every detail play out in my mind and almost taste every scrumptious tidbit.
The adventure is exciting and suspenseful with a mystery that is like the Da Vinci code for kids. There are enough thrills, twists and bad guys to keep even the most discerning palates satisfied. And I love that the whole Johnsonville family takes this journey together. Not many MG books feature parental characters that are significantly involved throughout the whole plot, but in Evertaster Mrs. Johnsonville is an important (and great!) character. But that doesn’t mean that the younger characters aren’t courageous heroes and heroines, because they are. Guster and his siblings are charming, clever young characters that readers will easily relate to.
I love how the book concludes, but I’m ecstatic that the adventures will continue in the sequel.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS: From the spellbinding adventure, original story and engaging characters, I love everything about this dazzling and imaginative debut! This book reminds me of why I adore MG fiction (and makes me want to bake!). A MUST read book that I recommend for readers all ages!
June 24, 2013
I won't even try to lie, when I first saw this book I was almost positive I was not going to like it. I had opted to review it simply because it was not something I had read before and I simply love finding new things.
While I was so sure I would hate this story, the exact opposite became the reality. Evertaster is the most outside the box story I have ever read in my life. I found myself arching an eyebrow more than once at the ingredients I found in here.
I have to wonder about Guster's very unusual name when his entire family has normal names, but honestly, with how unique Guster is, the name is more than fitting.
I was telling my other half about the book and my six year old over heard and now she wants to go joggle cows for butter! Yes, yes that is how odd this story is!
I loved the character names, most of which will make you smile. This story has almost non stop humor, action, and advenure and is sure to please readers from infancy to a thousand!
I await The Delicious City and The Final Season most eagerly and give this book 5 of 5 paws.
Reviewed by
S.Cu'Anam Policar
Freaky Fiction Writing Author
Cu's Ebook Giveaways Owner
Fae Books Tour Host/Reviewer
Girls <3 Books Tours Host
LadyAmber's Book Tours Host
B3 Book Tours Host
I Am A Reader Not A Writer Blog Tour Host
Shades of Rose Marketing Tour Host
GWR Tour Host
As You Wish Tour Host
While I was so sure I would hate this story, the exact opposite became the reality. Evertaster is the most outside the box story I have ever read in my life. I found myself arching an eyebrow more than once at the ingredients I found in here.
I have to wonder about Guster's very unusual name when his entire family has normal names, but honestly, with how unique Guster is, the name is more than fitting.
I was telling my other half about the book and my six year old over heard and now she wants to go joggle cows for butter! Yes, yes that is how odd this story is!
I loved the character names, most of which will make you smile. This story has almost non stop humor, action, and advenure and is sure to please readers from infancy to a thousand!
I await The Delicious City and The Final Season most eagerly and give this book 5 of 5 paws.
Reviewed by
S.Cu'Anam Policar
Freaky Fiction Writing Author
Cu's Ebook Giveaways Owner
Fae Books Tour Host/Reviewer
Girls <3 Books Tours Host
LadyAmber's Book Tours Host
B3 Book Tours Host
I Am A Reader Not A Writer Blog Tour Host
Shades of Rose Marketing Tour Host
GWR Tour Host
As You Wish Tour Host
July 2, 2013
Guster has a bit of a problem. He can't stand his mom's cooking. As much as he tries, he can't get past the small things like the quality of the ingredients and where they came from. So he just doesn't eat. One day his mom is determined to find something Guster can get down, so they are off to New Orleans. There they find a patisserie with the most amazing smells coming out. Guster goes in for pastry, but he comes out with an egg beater that bears the clues to an epic recipe. One that can offer peace to the world. Now Guster just has to survive long enough to find the ingredients.
This book was so original. I loved it! To have taste so acute must be incredibly awful for Guster, and while he doesn't try to be difficult about it he really can't handle most things given to him to eat. This book was so creative and inventive with the storyline. First and foremost, this is an adventure, and there's tons of action to be had. Guster and his family travel the world looking for clues and ingredients. Poor Guster feels a lot of responsibility for the things happening on his shoulders, but he does the best he can to do what's right. He also shows some amazing self-control in the end. Not sure I could have done the same.
One of the things that excites me most about this book is it's ability to introduce kids to different foods and ideas. I think it's really cool to get kids thinking about how their food is made and where it comes from. I think this book can help to do that while still providing a good time while reading. It's a delicate balance, but this book handles it well. I highly recommend this book. It's an awesome adventure.
Book provided for review.
This book was so original. I loved it! To have taste so acute must be incredibly awful for Guster, and while he doesn't try to be difficult about it he really can't handle most things given to him to eat. This book was so creative and inventive with the storyline. First and foremost, this is an adventure, and there's tons of action to be had. Guster and his family travel the world looking for clues and ingredients. Poor Guster feels a lot of responsibility for the things happening on his shoulders, but he does the best he can to do what's right. He also shows some amazing self-control in the end. Not sure I could have done the same.
One of the things that excites me most about this book is it's ability to introduce kids to different foods and ideas. I think it's really cool to get kids thinking about how their food is made and where it comes from. I think this book can help to do that while still providing a good time while reading. It's a delicate balance, but this book handles it well. I highly recommend this book. It's an awesome adventure.
Book provided for review.
August 29, 2013
Between the super cute cover, exciting blurb, and amazing trailer I was so excited to read Evertaster. Being a mom I know all to well what it is like trying to feed picky eaters, but Evertaster by Sidwell brings the dinner time experience to a life or death situation that I gobbled up quickly.
Now let me just go ahead and say that this story is way out there. Evertaster has over the top character names, action that a stunt team would find hard to accomplish, and incredible situations and story line that is just impossible. But somehow it all worked… And I can’t wait to read this aloud to my girls for us all to enjoy together.
I read a lot of YA, Middle Grade, and Children’s books, one thing that always drives me crazy is that the parantal role is often missing. Evertaster did not fallow the missing parent trend. I was very happy to see that the main character, Guster (who was such a great character) had his family with him throughout the story. It was refreshing to read a family supporting the main character and not just some random thrown in best friend.
There were a few parts in the beginning that became a bit choppy but as the story progressed so did the writing. By the end as this amazing adventure with Guster was drawing to a close a few things happen that really pulled on my heart strings that made this a story I won’t soon forget.
Now let me just go ahead and say that this story is way out there. Evertaster has over the top character names, action that a stunt team would find hard to accomplish, and incredible situations and story line that is just impossible. But somehow it all worked… And I can’t wait to read this aloud to my girls for us all to enjoy together.
I read a lot of YA, Middle Grade, and Children’s books, one thing that always drives me crazy is that the parantal role is often missing. Evertaster did not fallow the missing parent trend. I was very happy to see that the main character, Guster (who was such a great character) had his family with him throughout the story. It was refreshing to read a family supporting the main character and not just some random thrown in best friend.
There were a few parts in the beginning that became a bit choppy but as the story progressed so did the writing. By the end as this amazing adventure with Guster was drawing to a close a few things happen that really pulled on my heart strings that made this a story I won’t soon forget.
August 15, 2012
This book was written by a friend of a friend. It's a super cute adventure novel perfect for young foodies (do they exist?). I know I would've loved this as a kid.
The main character Guster is an Evertaster, he has an extremely good sense of taste (like he can tell from the taste of butter that the cows ate clover). But due to this fine sense of taste, he cannot abide anything but the best food, and is the fussiest eater. I really felt sorry for his poor mom.
A chef gives him a special eggbeater with the clues to the ingredients to make the One Recipe, a recipe that will satisfy Guster's hunger and bring world peace. He and his family (mom & 3 siblings) go on a quest to assemble the ingredients, and along the way have lots of adventure while trying to avoid the bad chefs.
Very imaginative & clever. Lots of fun details that even adults can appreciate. I love that his mom goes along on the adventure - so often in a kid's novel like this the kid is an orphan or off on his own. Each member of the group adds something, and in the end the Mom ends up being quite the hero (go Mom!)
The main character Guster is an Evertaster, he has an extremely good sense of taste (like he can tell from the taste of butter that the cows ate clover). But due to this fine sense of taste, he cannot abide anything but the best food, and is the fussiest eater. I really felt sorry for his poor mom.
A chef gives him a special eggbeater with the clues to the ingredients to make the One Recipe, a recipe that will satisfy Guster's hunger and bring world peace. He and his family (mom & 3 siblings) go on a quest to assemble the ingredients, and along the way have lots of adventure while trying to avoid the bad chefs.
Very imaginative & clever. Lots of fun details that even adults can appreciate. I love that his mom goes along on the adventure - so often in a kid's novel like this the kid is an orphan or off on his own. Each member of the group adds something, and in the end the Mom ends up being quite the hero (go Mom!)
August 6, 2012
I downloaded this because so many of my friends were reading it (several of them know the author) and because the cover was cool. But, considering it was a children's book by a first-time author, my expectations were low.
I'm happy to say the book more than exceeded my low expectations, and it was really quite fun. 11-year-old Guster is the world's pickiest eater. He can taste whether the potatoes were grown too far north to be really smooth, and he knows what the chickens had been eating just before being slaughtered (and it wasn't appetizing). In desperation, his mother takes him to New Orleans to find something to eat before he starves to death.
In New Orleans, Guster learns that his pickiness is really a gift. And this gift puts him and his whole family in danger. In a rollicking adventure that crosses the globe, the family bands together to look for clues, solve the mystery, and find something that Guster could eat.
This book would be captivating for ages 8-12. I also think it would be a fun one for parents to read aloud (particularly to picky eaters).
I'm happy to say the book more than exceeded my low expectations, and it was really quite fun. 11-year-old Guster is the world's pickiest eater. He can taste whether the potatoes were grown too far north to be really smooth, and he knows what the chickens had been eating just before being slaughtered (and it wasn't appetizing). In desperation, his mother takes him to New Orleans to find something to eat before he starves to death.
In New Orleans, Guster learns that his pickiness is really a gift. And this gift puts him and his whole family in danger. In a rollicking adventure that crosses the globe, the family bands together to look for clues, solve the mystery, and find something that Guster could eat.
This book would be captivating for ages 8-12. I also think it would be a fun one for parents to read aloud (particularly to picky eaters).
July 11, 2012
Guster is a kid who is slowly starving. He can't find anything that will satisfy the craving for well prepared food and it makes his mom so desperate that she loads up the car and takes Guster and his siblings to New Orleans. They find a pastry shop that produces wonderful delicacies where Guster discovers that he is an Evertaster. He is given an ancient eggbeater and told to find The One Recipe. This is the beginning of an incredible adventure for the Johnsonville family that will take them all over the world working the code to find the special ingredients that will create a food to end conflict for all mankind. Will Guster and his family discover the ingredients to make the recipe of peace before the evil Red Chefs and the Gastromimatii find them and kill them for the recipe? This is the debut for Adam Glendon Sidwell - just a small bite and you will be hungry for more and moms of fussy eaters will have finally found a heroine in the unflappable Mrs. Johnsonville.
July 31, 2012
My thoughts... loved it! It was great! I was not really convinced of buying this book, but thd storyline and the cover caught me. Of course I had kind of low expectations, but the first words made me become addicted to the book and then, I COULDN'T LET IT DOWN!
This is one of the most creative stories and kind of one of the best books written for children. The story is really interesting and I think that anyone would be pleased and happy to read this book. The storyline is amazing, we get to explore each character's personality and it has a nice, and beautiful message.
There was practically lots of things in this book: action, adventure, humor, drama... and it even makes you hungry! Evertaster is an amazing book, and I'd recommend it to everybody. Adam Glendon Sidwell sure did a HUGE job for his debut book! I'm looking forward for the sequel.
Adam Glendon Sidwell is a new author that should be on the watch! ;)
Evertaster is... grat! :3
This is one of the most creative stories and kind of one of the best books written for children. The story is really interesting and I think that anyone would be pleased and happy to read this book. The storyline is amazing, we get to explore each character's personality and it has a nice, and beautiful message.
There was practically lots of things in this book: action, adventure, humor, drama... and it even makes you hungry! Evertaster is an amazing book, and I'd recommend it to everybody. Adam Glendon Sidwell sure did a HUGE job for his debut book! I'm looking forward for the sequel.
Adam Glendon Sidwell is a new author that should be on the watch! ;)
Evertaster is... grat! :3
August 17, 2012
I read this book aloud to my kids and we quickly found out why this novel is an Amazon Best-seller! We were laughing by the first page and gasping by the third as we followed the pickiest eater in the world (soon to be known as Evertaster) Guster Johnsonville. My kids could relate to this eleven-year-old's selective tastebuds and learned a few things about being picky and picking trouble. :)
My 9 year old especially wanted me to tell my readers that she loved this book because it had so many interesting parts and it was fun to read about Guster escaping the bad guys. If there's a kid in your life--get them this book, and read it with them! You won't want to miss out on this new creative venture. Sidwell takes us into a new realm of middle-grade fiction--tastebud adventureland!
My 9 year old especially wanted me to tell my readers that she loved this book because it had so many interesting parts and it was fun to read about Guster escaping the bad guys. If there's a kid in your life--get them this book, and read it with them! You won't want to miss out on this new creative venture. Sidwell takes us into a new realm of middle-grade fiction--tastebud adventureland!
July 4, 2012
It's The DaVinci Code for the next generation.
With all of Dan Brown's intrigue and mystery combined with Ratatouille's charm and character, this is destined to become a beautiful film franchise and spark creativity in kid and adult alike.
That's not to mention the way it changes your perspective on food!
December 30, 2012
This book was filled with grammatical and spelling errors that greatly distracted this reader from the story. But the story itself left much to be desired. An overabundant obsession with the distinct tastes of the various foods left little time for a story. And the main point of the story nearly gets drowned out by the discussion of the food.
July 3, 2012
I can't wait for this to be made into a movie! It is written in such a way that that's all I could think about. It seems to have been made for the big screen. I am 27, and I couldn't put it down. Much funnier than I anticipated, and it's just a great story.
One complaint: it made me so hungry! I may have gained weight reading this. Luckily it only took me about three days to get through...
One complaint: it made me so hungry! I may have gained weight reading this. Luckily it only took me about three days to get through...
May 31, 2012
So I don't write reviews all that often, but I felt like I needed to take a moment for this one. It is rare these days to find a book that is fast-paced, exciting AND appropriate for kids. Evertaster is exactly that. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
July 1, 2012
i thind that that book is the best book i have ever read because i could never put it down at night so i would end upfaling asleep with it in my arms.i loved it sooooooooooooo much because of all the action/mystery/adventure that happend during those 300 wonderful pages!
October 4, 2012
Pretty good book, saw the author at an assembly at the elementary. He will be writing 3 more in this series. It is about a very finicky kid who tastes every single thing that he eats, like in pork, he can taste what the pig was fed. So he becomes the Evertaster.
February 9, 2014
A wild, rollicking, "Da Vinci Code-style" story for middle grade students. Great vocabulary, humorous character names, intricate plot and roller coaster action. A great read aloud to generate discussion on crafting stories. Can't wait for the last two titles in the series.
Want to read
May 10, 2012I cant wait to read this to my grandkids...
May 16, 2012
I'm reading it right now, and it's making me laugh out loud. I love that it takes the whole family on the adventure, and I love the crazy-detailed descriptions.
September 11, 2012
What an enjoyable adventure!!! I loved every second. It will be one I read to my kids someday!
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