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The Cupcake Club #2
Recipe for Trouble
Meet Lexi Poole. To Lexi, a new school year means back to baking with her BFFs in the cupcake club. But the club president, Kylie, is mixing things up by inviting new members. And Lexi is in for a not-so-sweet surprise when she is cast in the school's production of Romeo and Juliet. If only she could be as confident onstage as she is in the kitchen. The icing on the cake: her secret crush is playing Romeo. Sounds like a recipe for trouble. Can the girls' friendship stand the heat, or will the cupcake club go up in smoke?
192 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2012
85 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Sheryl Berk
72 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.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 2, 2025
In the second instalment of Sheryl and her tween daughter Carrie Berk's twelve volume The Cupcake Club series, in Recipe for Trouble (2012), Kylie Carson, Lexi Poole, Jenna Medina and Sadie Harris (the four members of the cupcake baking club first introduced in Peace, Love and Cupcakes) are now entering fifth grade and have been separated for the summer, with Lexi (who is the main focus of Recipe for Trouble) having spent part of her vacation with her delightfully quirky aunt in New York City. And while Aunt Deirdre is perhaps penned in Recipe for Trouble as a bit exaggeratedly and overly opinionated by the Berks, well, my inner child absolutely adores Aunt Dee as a character and also kind of wishes that my own aunts had been a bit more like that and similarly unconventional when they visited me or I visited them (and not so conventional and standardly "children should be seen but not heard"). But albeit Recipe for Trouble clearly depicts that Lexi has very much enjoyed NYC (and especially her art classes and museum visits), she is also depicted in Sheryl and Carrie Berk's text as experiencing a bit of jealousy when her friends (when Kylie, Sadie and Jenna) return from their summer holidays with stories of their own adventures (and which my inner child totally understands and can personally relate to, albeit for adult reading me, Lexi Poole's jealousy at the beginning of Recipe for Trouble, when the four girls meet up again after summer vacation, this does feel a trifle annoying and frustrating since just because Lexi did not go somewhere far away like Kylie Carson, Jenna Medina and Sadie Harris did, the adventures and experiences she has had in New York City sound wonderful and just as interesting if not even more so than what Kylie, Jenna and Sadie have experienced).
Now after school starts again, after the summer holidays are over, Recipe for Trouble shows Lexi Poole becoming romantically attracted to classmate Jeremy, with whom she is partnered in the school production of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (with Lexi playing Juliet Capulet and Jeremy playing Romeo Montague). And while the "Lexi has a crush on Jeremy" scenario in Recipe for Trouble does not really bother me all that much (although I do find this all majorly uninteresting and in particular for a story set in grade five and featuring mostly ten year olds), well, I do consider it more than a bit problematic for the Berks to have ten year olds be playing the teenaged leads in Romeo and Juliet, since the star-crossed lovers thematics of the play, that both Romeo and Juliet die by suicide (as well as the entire balcony scene) is at least in my opinion not really appropriate for elementary school, for grade five (I mean, we read Romeo and Juliet in grade eight, watched the Franco Zeferelli movie and also played many of the scenes during English class, and in grade eight Romeo and Juliet is appropriate, but not really in grade five, not really for nine and ten year olds).
And finally, with regard to Kylie, Lexi, Jenna and Sadie's cupcake baking club, although I am not surprised that in Recipe for Trouble the girls are and just like in the first novel (just like in Peace, Love and Cupcakes) and rather unbelievably so baking and also profitably selling vast quantities of cupcakes as commercial orders (sometimes thousands of cupcakes), well, it does bother in particular my adult reading self a wee bit how advanced with regard to entrepreneurial skills Kylie Carson, Lexi Poole, Jenna Medina and Sadie Harris seem to be and realistically speaking far beyond the capabilities of four ten year old girls (and no matter how motivated and hung-ho they are). However, since the general interactions and situations for Recipe for Trouble (except for the cupcake baking club as a business venture and the Shakespeare theme shown and decribed above) are rather typical for tween girls (and that my inner child has enjoyed most of what Sheryl and Carrie Berks have penned), I am still still going to be rating Recipe for Trouble with a solid three stars (and that the added cupcake recipes do add a bit of a dimension and extra reading enjoyment to Recipe for Trouble).
Now after school starts again, after the summer holidays are over, Recipe for Trouble shows Lexi Poole becoming romantically attracted to classmate Jeremy, with whom she is partnered in the school production of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (with Lexi playing Juliet Capulet and Jeremy playing Romeo Montague). And while the "Lexi has a crush on Jeremy" scenario in Recipe for Trouble does not really bother me all that much (although I do find this all majorly uninteresting and in particular for a story set in grade five and featuring mostly ten year olds), well, I do consider it more than a bit problematic for the Berks to have ten year olds be playing the teenaged leads in Romeo and Juliet, since the star-crossed lovers thematics of the play, that both Romeo and Juliet die by suicide (as well as the entire balcony scene) is at least in my opinion not really appropriate for elementary school, for grade five (I mean, we read Romeo and Juliet in grade eight, watched the Franco Zeferelli movie and also played many of the scenes during English class, and in grade eight Romeo and Juliet is appropriate, but not really in grade five, not really for nine and ten year olds).
And finally, with regard to Kylie, Lexi, Jenna and Sadie's cupcake baking club, although I am not surprised that in Recipe for Trouble the girls are and just like in the first novel (just like in Peace, Love and Cupcakes) and rather unbelievably so baking and also profitably selling vast quantities of cupcakes as commercial orders (sometimes thousands of cupcakes), well, it does bother in particular my adult reading self a wee bit how advanced with regard to entrepreneurial skills Kylie Carson, Lexi Poole, Jenna Medina and Sadie Harris seem to be and realistically speaking far beyond the capabilities of four ten year old girls (and no matter how motivated and hung-ho they are). However, since the general interactions and situations for Recipe for Trouble (except for the cupcake baking club as a business venture and the Shakespeare theme shown and decribed above) are rather typical for tween girls (and that my inner child has enjoyed most of what Sheryl and Carrie Berks have penned), I am still still going to be rating Recipe for Trouble with a solid three stars (and that the added cupcake recipes do add a bit of a dimension and extra reading enjoyment to Recipe for Trouble).
January 4, 2013
Meet Lexi Poole, one of the members of the cupcake club, The club president Kylie is mixing things up by inviting new members, and lexi is in for a not so sweet surprise, when she cast in the school’s production of Romeo and Juliet. If only she could be as confident onstage as she is in the kitchen. The major conflict in the book recipe for trouble, when the cupcake club girls have this huge argument that went berserk, Can the club friendship stand the heat? Or will the club go up in smoke.
My name is Kennedy Jackson, and what I really loved about recipe for trouble the cupcake club, was how the author begun the book, it’s just made the book more exciting to read. I liked it because it felt like I was there in the story with Kylie and Lexi. I could picture what was going on in my head, what the characters look like, and what they were doing. What I didn’t like so much about the book, is how Kylie was acting in the book she was so nice at the beginning, then at the end she became so evil to best friend. I give the book a five out of five stars, what kind of reader might like this book well I believe some of people might like this book because, first it have good grammar, very nice illustrations and last, there are some cupcake recipes in the back of the book, the people would want to try.
My name is Kennedy Jackson, and what I really loved about recipe for trouble the cupcake club, was how the author begun the book, it’s just made the book more exciting to read. I liked it because it felt like I was there in the story with Kylie and Lexi. I could picture what was going on in my head, what the characters look like, and what they were doing. What I didn’t like so much about the book, is how Kylie was acting in the book she was so nice at the beginning, then at the end she became so evil to best friend. I give the book a five out of five stars, what kind of reader might like this book well I believe some of people might like this book because, first it have good grammar, very nice illustrations and last, there are some cupcake recipes in the back of the book, the people would want to try.
September 26, 2012
Book Title: "Recipe for Trouble (The Cupcake Club)”
Author: Sheryl Berk & Carrie Berk
Published By: Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky
Age Recommended: 9+
Reviewed By: Kitty Bullard
Raven Rating: 5
Review: This was a delightfully sweet book about Lexi Poole, cupcakes and her very best friends. When Lexi’s friends all go away for the summer to have exciting adventures, Lexi is bummed out. She goes to stay with her aunt in New York City and returns home to find her friends much different than before they left.
With the beginning of fifth grade looming near, friendships, trouble, crushes and cupcake orders galore, the friends go through some tough times adjusting to the changes in their lives. Will they survive this year?
An adorable creation by a mother/daughter team this book is both entertaining and extremely sweet!
Author: Sheryl Berk & Carrie Berk
Published By: Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky
Age Recommended: 9+
Reviewed By: Kitty Bullard
Raven Rating: 5
Review: This was a delightfully sweet book about Lexi Poole, cupcakes and her very best friends. When Lexi’s friends all go away for the summer to have exciting adventures, Lexi is bummed out. She goes to stay with her aunt in New York City and returns home to find her friends much different than before they left.
With the beginning of fifth grade looming near, friendships, trouble, crushes and cupcake orders galore, the friends go through some tough times adjusting to the changes in their lives. Will they survive this year?
An adorable creation by a mother/daughter team this book is both entertaining and extremely sweet!
March 19, 2013
I could really rant and rave about my opinion of this book. It was just silly. The only parts that I thought were the slightest bit realistic were the actions of the girls in trying to help Lexi with her crush. Other than that I think the story is completely contrived and should be in the FANTASY genre.
November 10, 2020
Kind of childish, but I mean, they're in 5th grade, so I'll let it slide. The story was so sweet and I just kept wanting to read and read and read! The love story made me want that kind of thing to happen to me, but I know this level of sweetness and perfection only happens in movies and books.
The reason I only gave it 4 stars was that Lexi acted very childish when Kylie introduced Delaney. It was honestly kind of annoying.
Like, "Hey everyone! I have a new friend to help us fill all of these orders! Delaney!"
Lexi: "You're not gonna let her join the PLC, are you? Stupid Delaney! She'll mess up all of the cupcakes!"
Kylie: "Give her a chance, Lexi."
Then, Delaney turns out to be a pro at cupcake baking, decorating, and frosting.
Overall, this book made me feel very joyful.
The reason I only gave it 4 stars was that Lexi acted very childish when Kylie introduced Delaney. It was honestly kind of annoying.
Like, "Hey everyone! I have a new friend to help us fill all of these orders! Delaney!"
Lexi: "You're not gonna let her join the PLC, are you? Stupid Delaney! She'll mess up all of the cupcakes!"
Kylie: "Give her a chance, Lexi."
Then, Delaney turns out to be a pro at cupcake baking, decorating, and frosting.
Overall, this book made me feel very joyful.
December 26, 2020
The character in this one has a crush on a boy and gets cast in Romeo and Juliet, thought she hates being in front of people. She has to find her bravery in both situations. I was a little put off that so much of this book in the series had to do with romantic relationships and very little revolved around the girls' relationships with each other. I read this with my kid and she enjoyed the story, though would make faces at the mushy parts. :)
May 20, 2019
This second book in the series takes readers into the mind of Lexi, who is one of the shyest girls in the school. When Lexi gets a crush on Jeremy, she finds out she has to play the role of Juliet and he has to play the role of Romeo in a school play. Can Lexi survive the stage fright and the love scenes?
April 21, 2015
I was first introduced to The Cupcake Club when the publisher, Sourcebooks, sent me a beautiful, colorful copy of one of the newer releases, for the purposes of providing a review. Now, I'm obviously not the intended audience of this particular series, but I can't deny that I was swept away by the adorableness of it all, so I couldn't resist trying another of the stories when I came across it recently on my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
In RECIPE FOR TROUBLE, young readers are introduced to Lexi Poole, a fifth grader who is a member of the Peace, Love, and Cupcakes club at school-- and one who is desperately ready for the lonely summer to be over already, so that she can rejoin her friends back at school. So, once school gets started, Lexi finds herself as lead in the school play, Romeo and Juliet. The only problem? Romeo is being played by Jeremy, the cutest guy in class, who also happens to be Lexi's crush! (And, who also happens to be the guy who trashed her beautiful chocolate cupcake that she left for him as a surprise!)
Can Lexi learn what's really going on with Jeremy, master her lines in the school play, and keep up with the monstrous demands for cupcakes for Valentine's Day?!
As always, the cupcake cuteness did not fail to deliver, and I can easily see younger girls, close to the age of the students in the stories, devouring this adorable little series.
When it came to the mystery of Jeremy, any former reader of The Baby Sitter's Club should have seen that one coming from a mile away, right? And the one thing that kept me a little bit puzzled -- should fifth graders really be enacting Romeo and Juliet -- complete with a kissing scene?! Weird!
Overall, though, it was pretty much a delight.
In RECIPE FOR TROUBLE, young readers are introduced to Lexi Poole, a fifth grader who is a member of the Peace, Love, and Cupcakes club at school-- and one who is desperately ready for the lonely summer to be over already, so that she can rejoin her friends back at school. So, once school gets started, Lexi finds herself as lead in the school play, Romeo and Juliet. The only problem? Romeo is being played by Jeremy, the cutest guy in class, who also happens to be Lexi's crush! (And, who also happens to be the guy who trashed her beautiful chocolate cupcake that she left for him as a surprise!)
Can Lexi learn what's really going on with Jeremy, master her lines in the school play, and keep up with the monstrous demands for cupcakes for Valentine's Day?!
As always, the cupcake cuteness did not fail to deliver, and I can easily see younger girls, close to the age of the students in the stories, devouring this adorable little series.
When it came to the mystery of Jeremy, any former reader of The Baby Sitter's Club should have seen that one coming from a mile away, right? And the one thing that kept me a little bit puzzled -- should fifth graders really be enacting Romeo and Juliet -- complete with a kissing scene?! Weird!
Overall, though, it was pretty much a delight.
September 25, 2012
Cupcake, O Cupcake, where for art thou cupcake?
This is a cute story about friendship, crushes and cupcakes. The second installment in "The Cupcake Club" finds the girls at the beginning of 5th grade after having spent the summer apart. They've each gone through some changes over the past few months and even Lexie, whose normally shy, seems to have gained a little confidence. That confidence will be put to the test when she's cast as Juliette in the 5th grade production of Shakespeare's famous play opposite her crush, Jeremy. Cupcakes she can handle but, cute boys? Well, that will require a little help from her friends.
In an effort to woo, Jeremy, the girls decide a cupcake from a "secret admirer' will do the trick. Their plan backfires when Jeremy takes one look at the cupcake and tosses it in the trash. *gasp!* Lexi is heartbroken and doesn't understand why he would do that, I mean, who doesn't like dessert?! After a little more investigation, the girls discover that Jeremy has health issues that prevent him from having his cake and eating it too so it's back to the drawing board, or mixing bowl rather. But will their efforts be in vain again or will Jeremy be as excited about Lexi and her cupcake as Romeo was about Juliette? You'll just have to read and find out. While you're at it, be sure to try any of the delicious recipes listed in the back. A sneak peak of the next book in this series, "Winner Bakes All" is also included!
This is a cute story about friendship, crushes and cupcakes. The second installment in "The Cupcake Club" finds the girls at the beginning of 5th grade after having spent the summer apart. They've each gone through some changes over the past few months and even Lexie, whose normally shy, seems to have gained a little confidence. That confidence will be put to the test when she's cast as Juliette in the 5th grade production of Shakespeare's famous play opposite her crush, Jeremy. Cupcakes she can handle but, cute boys? Well, that will require a little help from her friends.
In an effort to woo, Jeremy, the girls decide a cupcake from a "secret admirer' will do the trick. Their plan backfires when Jeremy takes one look at the cupcake and tosses it in the trash. *gasp!* Lexi is heartbroken and doesn't understand why he would do that, I mean, who doesn't like dessert?! After a little more investigation, the girls discover that Jeremy has health issues that prevent him from having his cake and eating it too so it's back to the drawing board, or mixing bowl rather. But will their efforts be in vain again or will Jeremy be as excited about Lexi and her cupcake as Romeo was about Juliette? You'll just have to read and find out. While you're at it, be sure to try any of the delicious recipes listed in the back. A sneak peak of the next book in this series, "Winner Bakes All" is also included!
March 1, 2014
Second book in the Cupcake Club series, and I liked it better than the first. This book focuses on Lexie, the shy girl in the group. The book starts during summer and all the other members are out of town for the summer, and Lexie gets to go to NYC to spend some time with her crazy Aunt Dee. Aunt Dee takes her around the city, and Lexie find herself inspired by the city for new cupcake ideas. When the group resumes the club Lexie tries to share her ideas and tend to get over powered by the club president, Kylie. Lexie learns to find her voice and not be afraid to stand up for her beliefs.
The drama club also is putting on Romeo and Juliet, and shy Lexie lands the role of Juliet! Her crush,Jeremy, is playing Romeo. The book then follows the club who all help Lexie make Jeremy notice her. The story was fun, and Lexie is a likable character. Once again this series pulls in important issue like the first one touched on bullying. This one touched on a child illness.
As an adult I am enjoying this series and think tween age girls would enjoy as well. Makes for a good discussion book too!
The drama club also is putting on Romeo and Juliet, and shy Lexie lands the role of Juliet! Her crush,Jeremy, is playing Romeo. The book then follows the club who all help Lexie make Jeremy notice her. The story was fun, and Lexie is a likable character. Once again this series pulls in important issue like the first one touched on bullying. This one touched on a child illness.
As an adult I am enjoying this series and think tween age girls would enjoy as well. Makes for a good discussion book too!
November 6, 2012
Recipe for Trouble by Sheryl and Carrie Berk is a cute book about a group of girls who are in a cupcake club. This is actually the second book in this series. I haven't read the first book, but I was able to follow along really well. Recipe for Trouble starts a few weeks before the new school year. Lexi is scared that the girls will grow apart during their separate vacations. She's also worried that the cupcake club will suffer as well. Lexi's fears are put to rest when everyone comes back together. However their sweet reunion is short lived when the girls have a disagreement. The girls' personalities are as different as the cupcakes they bake, and they have to find a way to resolve their issues before it destroys everything they've works so hard for.
This is a cute book with very likable characters. I think young girls of every age will enjoy reading about the Cupcake Club. This book is a big hit for me and my daughter. At the end of the book are a few cupcake recipes that is a great mother-daughter activity. The next book in this series is The Winner Bakes All.
This is a cute book with very likable characters. I think young girls of every age will enjoy reading about the Cupcake Club. This book is a big hit for me and my daughter. At the end of the book are a few cupcake recipes that is a great mother-daughter activity. The next book in this series is The Winner Bakes All.
March 9, 2014
Following up from the first book this is truly delightful. Sadie, Jenna, Juliet, and of course Kylie all have huge personalities and huge baking skills. They come across special baking jobs and special "frenemies": Meredith. I love this book and so will you!
April 13, 2015
Meet Lexi Poole.
To Lexi, a new school year means back to baking with her BFFs in the cupcake club. But the club president, Kylie, is mixing things up by inviting new members. And Lexi is in for a no-so-sweet surprise when she is cast in
To Lexi, a new school year means back to baking with her BFFs in the cupcake club. But the club president, Kylie, is mixing things up by inviting new members. And Lexi is in for a no-so-sweet surprise when she is cast in
Want to read
October 5, 2012I won this in a book giveaway on sourcebooks.com. I had completely forgotten about entering until I received it in the mail today. I will start reading it ASAP.
October 28, 2012
Second in the series. Fun read for girls in 3rd-5th grade. Yummy sounding recipes too!
November 16, 2013
A girl named Lexi Poole doesn't like the summer. she wants school to start so she can hang out with her friends and start the cupcake club up again.
December 4, 2013
Super cute series. Read this with my youngest and she loved it. These books always make me hungry!
June 17, 2014
This is a book all kids can enjoy.Try baking these cupcakes at home!
July 3, 2014
I think this is a great book for 2nd-4th graders. It is funny and a great book! I am 9 years old and going into 4th grade and I really enjoyed reading it.
June 5, 2016
C-. children's book, grade 4, baking, NYS. Promotes boyfriends for 10 yr. old.. inappropiate for young girls.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2016
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Read
July 3, 2012A gift for a young neighbor.
April 15, 2015
this book is good for kids around 7/8. ok books.
September 26, 2015
I loved this book!! Friends stay together forever, no matter what club you're in!
March 19, 2019
Used as a resource. Wonders
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews