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Cake: Love, Chickens, and a Taste of Peculiar
More than frosting filled those cakes… Wilma Sue seems destined to go from one foster home to the next―until she is sent to live with sisters and missionaries, Ruth and Naomi. Do they really care about Wilma Sue, or are they just looking for a Cinderella-style farmhand to help raise chickens and bake cakes? As Wilma Sue adjusts to her new surroundings and helps deliver “special” cakes, Wilma Sue realizes there’s something strange going on. She starts looking for secret ingredients, and along the way she makes a new friend, Penny. When Penny and her mother hit a rough patch, Naomi decides to make her own version of cake―with disastrous results. Then tragedy strikes the chickens, and all fingers point to Wilma Sue―just when she was starting to believe she could at last find a permanent home with Ruth and Naomi. Will the sisters turn her out, or will she discover what it feels like to be truly loved?
- GenresMiddle GradeFiction
224 pages, Hardcover
First published December 25, 2012
4 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Magnin
28 books172 followersUm, I like cross stitch, baseball, my children and grandkids, but not elevators or laundry. I've been known to run from mayonnaise and I play RPG video games. I don't have a favorite author although I read a lot.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 21, 2013
Joyce Magnin brings another imaginative story that deals with real issues in her second middle grade novel, CAKE: Love, Chickens, and a Taste of Peculiar. Abandoned by her mother, twelve-year-old Wilma Sue has been going from foster home to foster home. Her next stop is the home of the Beedlemeyer sisters: Ruth, a social activist, and Naomi, who bakes magical cakes for needy people of their community. A neighbor, Penny, seems to be more damaged than Wilma Sue and is failing to fill happiness in the life of her widowed mother. Wilma Sue progressively realizes that she is worthy of love and that giving it back to people around her will also help them.
The story would not have been as powerful and delicate as it is without author Joyce’s definite control over language. The story is intriguing, fun, and very inspiring. The way Joyce weaves the story together permits the characters to capture your hearts. Wilma Sue’s captivating personality will have readers rooting for her to pull through. Joyce’s writing style is sharp and on-point that readers will begin to think about what it would be like to be a foster child. There is much uncertainty within Wilma Sue’s life as evident from her notebook that contained all of her private thoughts. This is a great book for people that would like to learn about the foster child system and to know that there is a chance for a child to find hope and love when the right family comes along.
The illustration that accompanies the book is superb and visually captures this uplifting story. Cake is a fast-paced story with humor that brightly shines through and the perfect choice for a family read along.
The story would not have been as powerful and delicate as it is without author Joyce’s definite control over language. The story is intriguing, fun, and very inspiring. The way Joyce weaves the story together permits the characters to capture your hearts. Wilma Sue’s captivating personality will have readers rooting for her to pull through. Joyce’s writing style is sharp and on-point that readers will begin to think about what it would be like to be a foster child. There is much uncertainty within Wilma Sue’s life as evident from her notebook that contained all of her private thoughts. This is a great book for people that would like to learn about the foster child system and to know that there is a chance for a child to find hope and love when the right family comes along.
The illustration that accompanies the book is superb and visually captures this uplifting story. Cake is a fast-paced story with humor that brightly shines through and the perfect choice for a family read along.
December 29, 2012
The first I realized after reading this book was that the author said that this was a ‘young adult’ book. It struck me as a children’s book, though the book was much more advanced than a picture book or anything. I love the illustration on the cover, especially because of the fact that it relates to a scene in the book. I also like that the book taught good vocabulary words. The unique names of characters was also interesting.
December 29, 2013
There's something about middle grade fantasy books that adds more than just fun and adventure. In Cake, Wilma Sue has been bounced from one foster home to another and ends up with two odd women who live together and love to bake cakes. Lately, I've seen this trend with older women possessing magic that take in young girls or boys and open their eyes to healing and joy. Or maybe I'm just picking up such books randomly, who knows. I must say, Cake really surprised me. I love the characters and the different cakes that heal people differently.
Wilma Sue herself is a bit of a jaded young girl, finding any excuse as to why these two women would possibly want her around. She thinks she has it all figured out when she has to help take care of the chickens in the back of their house. Beyond that she finds a young girl who seems to want to be her friend and then ends up slugging her or calling her names. Wilma Sue has to go beyond her own problems to see if she can make a friend in young Penny and finds she is not the only one with a tough life.
I love the way that cake heals ailments in this book and the different types of cake the sisters would bake. Wilma Sue catches on quickly to what the sisters are doing and insists on a cake for Penny's mother, but they are not yet ready to make it. I really loved Wilma Sue's voice and the way she transforms throughout the book.
Final Verdict: Cake is a beautiful book about family, healing and learning what kindness really is and how to show it.
Wilma Sue herself is a bit of a jaded young girl, finding any excuse as to why these two women would possibly want her around. She thinks she has it all figured out when she has to help take care of the chickens in the back of their house. Beyond that she finds a young girl who seems to want to be her friend and then ends up slugging her or calling her names. Wilma Sue has to go beyond her own problems to see if she can make a friend in young Penny and finds she is not the only one with a tough life.
I love the way that cake heals ailments in this book and the different types of cake the sisters would bake. Wilma Sue catches on quickly to what the sisters are doing and insists on a cake for Penny's mother, but they are not yet ready to make it. I really loved Wilma Sue's voice and the way she transforms throughout the book.
Final Verdict: Cake is a beautiful book about family, healing and learning what kindness really is and how to show it.
July 29, 2013
Wilma Sue is a 12 year old girl who seems to be destined to spend her life hopping from one foster home to another......until she is put into the grey house of two sisters, Ruth and Naomi. As Wilma Sue gets comfy in the new house, she helps Naomi deliver special cakes to neighbors and discovers a strange secret. The cakes seem to have the power to make things happen to people who eat the cake, like making chairs float and magically putting goldfish in lemonade pitchers. Now, Wilma Sue is determined to find the secret ingredient in the mysterious cakes and finds out what it means to have a real family.
This book is a really good book. The author has a great flow and plot line; I want to read this book again! I can't really relate to any of the characters but maybe you can. I don't really enjoy the parts where snotty Penny is involved because it reminds me WAY to much of my little sister. There are some really good parts to the story, like reading about what happens to people who eat the cakes.
There is a lovely and happy ending that makes you feel like you already know what's going to happen after you close the book. It's one of those endings where you know everything's going to be ok, so there is no need for a sequel. The author writes in first person, and she never adds (or leaves out) to many details. This book is incredibly good and you should read it too
This book is a really good book. The author has a great flow and plot line; I want to read this book again! I can't really relate to any of the characters but maybe you can. I don't really enjoy the parts where snotty Penny is involved because it reminds me WAY to much of my little sister. There are some really good parts to the story, like reading about what happens to people who eat the cakes.
There is a lovely and happy ending that makes you feel like you already know what's going to happen after you close the book. It's one of those endings where you know everything's going to be ok, so there is no need for a sequel. The author writes in first person, and she never adds (or leaves out) to many details. This book is incredibly good and you should read it too
April 19, 2013
Cake is a well written chapter book. The cover is a little deceiving as it leads you to believe two things that really aren’t true. One that it’s geared towards girls however our son loved it! I’m sure that our granddaughter will as well but the point being it’s great for both genders. Secondly it appears to be a light read. However the message is pretty serious. Now, I don’t know that that really came across to my son although he did feel bad for Wilma Sue he didn’t seem sad or have a desire to stop reading the book. Joyce does a great job of writing the story so that it appeals to children and makes them want to keep reading till the end! This is the first book we’ve read by Joyce but I can tell you we will be reading more! From a parents perspective I always love a book that not only makes my children and grandchildren want to read but teaches a lesson in the process. This does a great job with both.
*I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
*I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2013
What a fun middle-grade book about love, hope, and forgiveness! I heard it was a cross between Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and Mary Poppins, but I also detected a teaspoon of Ramona Quimby, a hint of Annie and maybe a tiny dash of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
I enjoyed the main character Wilma Sue, just as I loved Ramona Quimby as a child. Wilma Sue wants to do the right thing, wants to help people, and wants to find out how the sisters make their seemingly magical cakes. But her attempts at good deeds and circumstances keep backfiring on her. I could identify with her and would have commiserated with her as a child. I, too, would often try to do something good and wind up in a mess.
I'd recommend this one. Very fun. And now I really want to eat some cake...
I enjoyed the main character Wilma Sue, just as I loved Ramona Quimby as a child. Wilma Sue wants to do the right thing, wants to help people, and wants to find out how the sisters make their seemingly magical cakes. But her attempts at good deeds and circumstances keep backfiring on her. I could identify with her and would have commiserated with her as a child. I, too, would often try to do something good and wind up in a mess.
I'd recommend this one. Very fun. And now I really want to eat some cake...
April 3, 2013
Cake: Love, chickens, and a taste of peculiar
By Joyce Magnin
Age: 6-tween
Really cute. Wilma Sue is a foster child who has been bounced around a few homes. She is given one last chance with two elderly sisters who have returned to state side having been on the mission field most of their life. Naomi, one of the sisters, bakes “special” cakes for people in their village who need spiritual help. Wilma Sue tries to find out what she puts in the cakes to make them act special. Wilma Sue tries to befriend Penny whose mother works all day and isn’t around much. But Penny is a mean child and lies a lot, getting Wilma Sue into some trouble. Again a great read for young to tween girls.
By Joyce Magnin
Age: 6-tween
Really cute. Wilma Sue is a foster child who has been bounced around a few homes. She is given one last chance with two elderly sisters who have returned to state side having been on the mission field most of their life. Naomi, one of the sisters, bakes “special” cakes for people in their village who need spiritual help. Wilma Sue tries to find out what she puts in the cakes to make them act special. Wilma Sue tries to befriend Penny whose mother works all day and isn’t around much. But Penny is a mean child and lies a lot, getting Wilma Sue into some trouble. Again a great read for young to tween girls.
November 6, 2014
Great book. Wilma Sue is an orphan who just wants a forever home. She thinks no one wants her. She hasn't really been accepted in any of her foster homes but hopes this time is different. As you read about her time with these two sisters your heart cries out for this child and you hope this is her forever home.
June 23, 2013
super read! Easy, engaging, and heart-warming! Must read more of this author!
July 9, 2015
Loved this book! It was so much fun!
March 17, 2018
This book was a great read for my 5th grader - and me! It has great characters and doesn't shy away from showing depth in both the issues (foster care, belonging, friendship, faith) or characters it covers. This was a feel good book, but it wasn't just "fluff". My daughter appreciated the characters and story AND the descriptions of cakes as well. I heartily recommend and think it would be great for kids from 4th grade all the way to early high school.
March 21, 2018
This was a wonderful book. My family has a foster care connection (my children were in foster care before they joined our family), and I think Ms. Magnin captures well the confusing, tumultuous, and sad emotions children in foster care experience. Additionally, I think the story beautifully captured love, hope, forgiveness, community, and belonging. I also loved the mysterious element of the magical cakes.
November 23, 2017
Loved this book. It was just a fun, touching read!
August 1, 2013
A quirky story with characters with fanciful names like Ruth and Naomi Beedlemeyer (retired missionairies to Africa) Penelope Pigsworthy, Margaret Snipplesmith, Hortense Quill and Ramona Von Tickle and magical cakes that release birds and fireworks and make people feel better.
Wilma Sue is an orphan whose new foster home placement is with the Beedlemeyer sisters, who raise chickens, bake cakes and tell stories of their days in Malawi.
It is written as a middle grade novel with the Wilma Sue and Penny being 12 years old, but they really struck me as being younger. Especially since Penny still plays with Barbies. Do you know any twelve-year-olds that still play with Barbies? I don't.
A recipe for Pineapple Upside-Down Cake is included. I would have loved to have seen the recipes for the other cakes mentioned in the book: Lemon Cake, Strawberry Shortcake, Carrot Cake, Black Forest Cake, Orange Mellow Macadamia, and Chocolate Lava Cake.
Note: Cake is published by Zondervan, a Christian publisher, so there are multiple references to Jesus and faith in God. These references really jumped out at me, but maybe it is because of the conspicuous absence of faith in most books.
Wilma Sue is an orphan whose new foster home placement is with the Beedlemeyer sisters, who raise chickens, bake cakes and tell stories of their days in Malawi.
It is written as a middle grade novel with the Wilma Sue and Penny being 12 years old, but they really struck me as being younger. Especially since Penny still plays with Barbies. Do you know any twelve-year-olds that still play with Barbies? I don't.
A recipe for Pineapple Upside-Down Cake is included. I would have loved to have seen the recipes for the other cakes mentioned in the book: Lemon Cake, Strawberry Shortcake, Carrot Cake, Black Forest Cake, Orange Mellow Macadamia, and Chocolate Lava Cake.
Note: Cake is published by Zondervan, a Christian publisher, so there are multiple references to Jesus and faith in God. These references really jumped out at me, but maybe it is because of the conspicuous absence of faith in most books.
March 21, 2013
When orphan, Wilma Sue, ends up with two elderly sisters who served as missionaries in Africa, she worries that this is just one more temporary stop in her life of change. What do they want of her? Do they want her to work around the house? Are they going to send her back if she's not perfect? Then there's the girl next door who seems alternately friendly then dangerously antagonistic. How does Wilma Sue fit in? She helps bake the cakes that one sister delivers to neighbors and that seem to have magical qualities. Is there a special ingredient? Wilma Sue has more questions than answers. This is a book with a strong Christian foundation, but elements of "Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle" magic. Readers will root for Wilma Sue, hoping she's finally found a true home.
May 18, 2015
What the actual frex? I mean, it starts out kind of nice, with likeable characters (if a strong implication that only people who go to church and like Jesus are nice and kind, grr), but the moral of the book seems to be that the way to deal with a bully, and Penny in the story is a bully, make no mistake, is to love them anyway and try to be their friend and then they'll eventually learn to be a good person. Argh.
There are extenuating circumstances, but seriously, the second time Penny hit Wilma Sue with a Barbie (and let's not talk about the fact that it was a horrible stereotype Hiawatha Barbie) Wilma Sue should have been told to stay away from her.
This book is not OK and I would not recommend it to anyone.
There are extenuating circumstances, but seriously, the second time Penny hit Wilma Sue with a Barbie (and let's not talk about the fact that it was a horrible stereotype Hiawatha Barbie) Wilma Sue should have been told to stay away from her.
This book is not OK and I would not recommend it to anyone.
May 27, 2013
Willa Sue is going to her third foster home and she doesn't hold out much hope that this will be any better than the others. She just doesn't want to end up back in the Daylily Home for Children. She is placed with sisters Ruth and Naomi. They are former African missionaries who are a bit eccentric. They raise chickens and bake cakes. In spite of her doubts, Willa Sue settles in and is soon part of the routine. But try as she might, she just can't discover the magic ingredient that makes all the cakes just right for the person they are baked for.
January 22, 2016
Wilma Sue moves from one foster home to another. This time she is sent to live with two sisters who used to be missionaries in Africa. Her first thought is they are looking to have a Cinderella-style farmhand, however, as days pass by Wilma Sue is starting to feel that this may be here new home. A story with a lot of emotions.
March 13, 2013
Loved it!
May 1, 2013
This was a cite story about a young girl finding a real family and friendship.
February 3, 2014
Nice story without too religious of an overtone
September 27, 2022
All about the magic of love
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2012
Cute Middle-Grade book with a good lesson.
June 12, 2015
One of my girls favorites! We are reading it for the second time together.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews