Emma: Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

Cupcake Diaries #15

by Coco Simon, Elizabeth Doyle Carey (Ghostwriter), Emmy Reis (Illustrator)

Emma puts her big sister skills—and her bravery—to the test when her brother has to stay in the hospital.Emma’s younger brother Jake has been getting sore throats for quite a while. When her parents take him to the doctor, their suspicions are Jake needs to get his tonsils out. The Cupcake Club rallies around Jake, and even bakes him a special batch of cupcakes to make him feel better. Emma feels bad for him, but wants to stay as far away from hospitals as possible—she’s a bit squeamish and gets woozy at the sight of blood. But Jake throws a fit the day of his operation and says he only wants “Emmy” to stay with him. Emma’s mom tells her she doesn’t have to stay, but Emma realizes Jake isn’t faking; he’s really scared. Can Emma get over her own fears in order to help her little brother?

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Juvenile, Young Adult

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 20, 2013

About the author

Coco Simon always dreamed of opening a cupcake bakery, but she’s afraid she would eat all the profits. When she’s not daydreaming about cupcakes, Coco edits children’s books and has written close to 100 books for children, tweens, and young adults, which is a lot less than the number of cupcakes she’s eaten. Cupcake Diaries is the first time Coco has mixed her love of cupcakes with writing.

Reviews

[Cheryl Blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this juvenile series. there is nothing better than friends helping you out and making cupcakes. i love how each book is told from a different viewpoint that includes the other cupcakers!!!

[Trinity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! And here's why....I related to Emma a lot because I too have a fear of hospitals because I have been in hospitals so many times. I have a chronic illness which makes me have to go in hospital. I loved how she faced her fear to help her brother, Jake. She really is an amazing sister! I will reread this book again. I recommend for ages 7+.

[Tracie Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much. I love hearing the viewpoints from the different girls and I like how they support each other and try to always be nice, even to people they dilike or who are not nice to them.

In this one in particular, I liked the theme of bravery and the coping mechanisms that were given that kids could use if they feel squeamish or anxious.

[Cerena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma's perspective books are honestly my favorite of the series because she's got so much going on but she's still always humble and sweet and her brothers are so nice especially adorable little Jake. She always handles everything so well and elegantly, putting other people before her like at the hospital with Jake, and the scene when they're in her bed together is so cute.

[Zoha Munshipalkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Emma: Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice by Coco Simon is a great and fun book. Emma's younger brother Jake has been getting sore throats for quite a while. When her parents take him to the doctor, their suspicions are confirmed: Jake needs to get his tonsils out. The Cupcake Club rallies around Jake, and even bakes him a special batch of cupcakes to make him feel better. This is a great book for all ages and I highly recommend it.

[Hayden B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It wasn't bad at all! It was incredibly short and a fairly easy read, but it still had a good message and kept me engaged. I'd recommend this book to 4-6th graders who want a fun, quick read. Compared to the rest of the series, I'd rank it in the middle of the list. There's definitely some better books in this series, but it was still pretty good.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The theme is courage, Emma loses money and she needs to pay the cupcakes back. The solution is a job that involves hospital needs and blood. She is scared and faints around blood so Katie's mom helps her. Diego who is cute is getting surgery and Emma's brother is getting his tonsils to remove.....

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little series, I thought I would get tired of them by now, but they are still pretty okay.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet book. With main themes of bravery and being there for family it had some nice lessons woven into the story. Will definitely check out more from this series.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so sweet.

[Kaitlyn Zambrana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice!

[gracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. There were some hard parts, but it was a very touching story between 2 siblings.

[Allie Ficklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was my favorite cupcake diaries book it shows how Jake really looks up to Emma I don't know why but its my favorite cupcake diaries book I recommend it

[Reem 🧁 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whimsical

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is one of my favorite ones because it focuses on Emma and her family. Emma and her brothers have been driven nuts because of Jake being spoiled and throwing tantrums about getting his tonsils out. Though, they all do feel bad for him, and Emma is also dealing with her own fears about anything medical-related.

[Grace Tehrani · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, Coco Simon writes exactly the type of books I like! This book is about Emma Taylor who has a little brother named Jake. Jake has tonsilitis, and he needs to get his tonsils taken out...but small problem: he want Emma to go with him but emma has a fear of blood. Can Emma get over her fear to help Jake??? Find out in this cool - slightly gross- book from the Cupcake Diaries!!! I do not sugest reading this if you don't like cupcakes. >:)

[Jocelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma has to deal with her brother having his tonsils taken out. She still is a model and a fellow cupcake. This story focuses more on her life outside of the cupcake club. The story was really fascinating and I got a chance to see a side of Emma that I really haven't seen before. She faces some of her weakness and came out a little bit stronger for it.
Nice entry into the series.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma's brother Jake is getting his tonsils out and Jake is worry that it will hurts.At dinner everybody tries to convince Jake that going to the hospital is a good thing.Emma's friends Mia,Katie,and Alexis (also known as the Cupcakers.) decidce to throw a party for Jake. But Jake ate all the cupcakes for the party so it is canceled.Jake still got his gift: a police shirt. Emma also tells everbody

[Kenix Lin]

Jake was so sweet to name her police bear after his sister, Emma's name and she was just spoil at first and then things turn out just great. A brother could be annoying but sometimes I have to admitted they're cute

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

So annoying at times with the language and the awkward actions of the characters.

[Caroline Jkb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tu n'es pas la seule à détester le sang, Emma 🤢

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a little embarrassing that this is my first book read for 2023…

[Ruth Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma needs to overcome an intense fear to help her annoying younger brother and herself!

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don' want my tonsils out! loving it!