Basil & Dahlia: A Tragical Tale of Sinister Sweetness

by Joy McCullough, Shane Cluskey (Illustrator)

Two orphan siblings with truly terrible luck battle an evil celebrity chef in this uproarious illustrated middle grade romp with the dark humor of A Series of Unfortunate Events and The Beast and the Bethany.It’s hard to imagine things could get worse after one’s parents die in a greenhouse explosion. But that is precisely what happens to Basil and his younger sister, Dahlia. They escape from the social worker who wants to split them up to different foster homes by jumping off a moving train, only to find themselves wounded (Dahlia) and bedraggled (Basil) and without a soul to care for them. What’s more, they’re lost in the wilds of New York City. Famished and alone, they wander into Cravings, the delectable bakery owned by Laurel Fox, disgraced celebrity chef with a soft spot for poor, hungry orphans. When she offers them luxurious accommodations and all the éclairs they can eat, Basil and Dahlia dare to hope their luck has changed at last. But the savvy reader will know it can’t be as simple as all that! Laurel Fox is out for redemption, and she’ll do anything to get the sinister secret ingredient she requires.

Genres: Middle Grade, Humor, Fiction, Mystery, Family, Adventure, Childrens

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 21, 2024

Reviews

[Stephanie Lucianovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG SO MUCH FUN!

Joy has an *enviable* MG voice in all her MG novels and this one has me applauding so many lines. I finished i way too quickly and now I'm sad. But since I always want more to read, I read the acknowledgements and GASP ... "[BASIL & DAHLIA is] a book I wrote may years ago. It was, in fact, my first book to go on submission to editors. But sadly, the timing wasn't right. All these years later, I revisited the book and found that I still really loved it."

This should NOT surprise me as I have books of my own that have been zombied back into existence after years of playing dead but STILL.

This book being passed on by, what I assume is, a longish list of editors? Incredible.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another quirky middle grade story about two orphan siblings forced to endure a number of unsuitable guardians. This was great on audio with a fun third person narrator very similar in style to the Lemony Snicket Series of Unfortunate events. If you liked those books, this one is HIGHLY recommended. I hope there will be more!!

[Debby Tiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, funny and silly (but with sad and meaningful moments too) this book is perfect for fans of Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson and anyone who loves the Great British Baking Show. Occasionally art livens up the reading and even as an adult, illustrations are appreciated.

Favorite character: Dahlia

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prolific writer Joy McCullough (playwright as well as writer of picture books and those for middle grades and young adult) brings her middle grade audience an adventure story of two orphaned siblings taken in by a successful and seemingly generous premier baker. But alas, not is all as it should be Laurel Fox’s kitchen or her home and most especially, not in her heart. Impulsive younger sister Dahlia and more cautious and bookish Basil must combine their distinctive skill sets in order to escape Fox and her dastardly plan to use the tears of children to give her baked goods a distinctive salty-sweet flavor that no one will guess or possibly emulate. Narrated by an unidentified Englishperson who is somehow from a time period other than the one in which Dahlia and Basil live, Joy uses this tool to allow him to vaguely identify modern technology such as cell phones and ear buds in creative ways as well use idiom and references to literature/movies such as Mary Poppins. Some of these will fly right over the heads of readers, but others will alternate between being impressed by McCullough’s wordsmithing and laughing and nodding their heads in appreciation. With its somewhat dark tone, Basil & Dahlia would best suit readers who enjoy Snicket’s Unfortunate Events and works by Roald Dahl. Text is free of profanity and sexual content and violence is relatively bloodless and not overly graphic. Target age: grades 5-7 and possibly strong 4th grade readers.

Thanks for the print arc, Atheneum Books/Simon & Schuster for Children’s Publishing.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Basil has accidentally caused the death of his famous botanist parents in a greenhouse explosion, and he and his sister Dahlia are under the care of Ms. Hassenblasset, a social worker. When the two figure out that she is going to put them into separate foster homes, Dahlia asks to spend some time honoring her parents memory, but convinces Basil to jump off the train with her and run away. They manage to make it to New York City, but both are injured. After getting patched up, the meet the owner of a bakery, Lauren Fox, and are intrigued by her baked goods. Does their future lie with her?

This had a definite Lemony Snicket feel to it, with quirky characters and situations where the children have to fend for themselves while also solving mysteries. This will be popular with fans of Guterson's Winterhouse, Siebel's The Trouble with Twins, or Carman's Floors.

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basil and Dahlia are on their way to a new home after their parents' deaths when they discover they will be placed separately. Dahlia, the impulsive sibling, decides to jump off the slow-moving train and Basil follows her, if only to protect her. Through this and other devious ways, the two orphans reach New York City. Through a series of fortunate, or perhaps unfortunate, events, the two are taken in by Laurel Fox, a disgraced celebrity baker who sees the orphans are her way back to stardom. Little do the two realize that their new home will prove to be a prison and that Laurel Fox harbors sinister plans for them as well as for other orphans like them. I enjoyed the story once I got past what seemed like a slow start. This book reminded me of A Series of Unfortunate Events with The Wolves of Willoughby Chase thrown in for good measure, but in an entirely original story, which, satisfyingly, ends with a nod to Hansel and Gretel.

[Ciara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ever since the greenhouse explosion that killed their parents, Basil and Dahlia have been terrified of being separated. But then, they are saved from separation by a leap from a moving train. They end up at celebrity chef Laurel Fox's bakery, Cravings, where she discovers the two hungry orphans and offers them a home. But they soon discover that she has her own sinister reasons for wanting to adopt them...

I enjoyed the writing style of this book, but overall, the plot felt rushed, and the characters weren't really given any personality beyond basic archetypes. I added a star for the fourth wall breaking and the nice writing style though. Maybe worth a read for younger children, but I would not argue that it's comparable to A Series Of Unfortunate Events.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Escaping the Social Worker that could separate them, orphans Basil - the one responsible for their parent's demise - and Dahlia end up in the care of a famous baker, Ms. Fox - but when she learns of a unique ingredient for her new recipe, they must escape her clutches and reveal the truth. McCullough and Cluskey bring young readers some enjoyable thrills and laughs with this decently entertaining retelling of Hansel and Gretel, if a bit too corny and rushed at times. Can these two intelligent siblings convince the world of Ms. Fox's nefarious schemes...without losing each other?

[Jessica Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty, suspenseful, insightful, and heartwarming~ this is one of my very favorite of Joy McCullough's books so far (and trust me, they are VERY hard to choose from). All I have to say is, if you're an MG writer wondering how to achieve the illusive writer's "voice" we all hear about, read this. There are multiple distinct voices (from narrator to protagonists to villain) that are each distinct and well-realized. Very fun, while being "a tragical tale of sinsister sweetness" ~ you'll want to gobble it down like one of Laurel Fox's eclairs :)

[Eris Tiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oooo this book was fun! I didn’t know what to expect as my wife said some of the lines out of context and told me a bit of the plot but with my memory I barely remembered anything. So I was in for treat, starting off with bam!

The parents are dead, time to go with the social worker but wait! Let’s jump off this train and go exploring. Oh wait we are in New Jersey (and there is a great narrator throughout the entire book) let’s leave New Jersey! Eventually ending up in a sugar palace of a woman who just wants to make the best treat possible but wait! It uses the tears of our main characters, Basil and Dahlia.

I liked this book and while a bit was confusing with the conviction part, I still really enjoyed reading it nonetheless!

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

This middle-grade novel has an incredibly funny narrative voice, and the story is action-packed and suspenseful. This will appeal to people who enjoy fractured fairy tales, especially if they want to read a story that is creepy without being too dark. I really liked the quirky and eccentric characters, and the story and illustrations are wonderful. I didn't want to put this down, and it's my favorite middle-grade novel that I've read in years.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humorous Dahl-esque tale about two orphans taken in by a celebrity baker who’s not the same person she appears to be in public. Basil is keeping a guilty secret from his sister and she just wants to protect her brother from Ms. Fox who seems to be keeping them prisoners. Delightfully narrated by a voice out of Victorian England – the narrator’s description of modern things like cellphones is hilarious – readers will laugh out loud while rooting for Basil and Dahlia to escape.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quirky middle school story about 2 orphans who find themselves in the middle of a sinister plot with a bakery diva. Everything about this book had a Lemony Snicket feel to it…the style of writing with a narrator that interacts with the reader, outrageous events, scary but silly adventures, etc. I had a tough time engaging with the story through the first half of the book and while I found myself intrigued at the second half, it had a fairly predictable ending.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has one of the funniest narrative voices I've read in years! I just loved it. Paired with a tale of nonstop adventure, two memorably lovable main characters, and some truly dastardly foodie content, Basil & Dahlia is a delight from start to finish. I was lucky enough to read an advance copy, and can't wait to add it to my collection and enjoy the story again with my kids.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from Simon & Schuster.

Absolutely adorable! Such a fun story that will keep readers turning the page from start to finish just to see what happens next. The characters are perfect, the narrator is witty and engaging, and the story is a fun mix of adventure and mystery. Highly recommend that this book be added to your TBR list!

[Lindsey Eick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to @simon&schuster for this amazing ARC that kind of reminding me of a take on the tale of Hansel and Gretel. I loved the characters of Basil and Dahlia as well as how their story developed quickly from the beginning. I cannot wait to read more novels by @joymccullough . This book really brought me back to my childhood with its imaginative plot and wonderful characters.

[Alysa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and SimonKids for the opportunity to read the arc of this absolutely deliciously delightful tale! Complete with brilliantly wise children, sinister villains, and seemingly insurmountable odds, this fast-paced adventure is sure to capture readers hearts, minds, and stomachs!
Packed with humor and heart Basil and Dahlia’s quest for a place to call home is sheer delight!!

[Arya Joshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, at first, seemed to be a bit strange. It is dark book, but in a way, funny (for the most part). This was an interesting book, and I haven't read many books like this. The book also includes illustrations, which are always fun to look at. Overall, it was an interesting book, and if you want to read something a bit different, read this book.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun. Reminiscent of Roahl Dahl’s style of children’s writing, there are elements of ridiculous adult behaviour & children being independent, starring in their brave, outlandish rescue.

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basil & Dahlia is a fantastic MG novel with a Series of Unfortunate Events vibe. Will keep readers engaged and they’ll be dying for a sequel! Definitely adding a copy to my class library!

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Middle-graders who like A Series of Unfortunate Events will like this one.

[Peg O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminded me a bit of Series of Unfortunate Events. Sinister adults, smart kids working their way out of difficult situations, train jumping, dumbwaiters-so fun!

[Violet 💖 · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so good!!! I loved everything about it- the plot, the illustrations, and mostly the writing style!!! 10/10, would read again!!! I highly suggest!!! 📖❤️😊

[Shaindel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminds me of Lemony Snicket

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Very cute. It was quite fun and refreshing to return to a junior fiction novel after all of these years. What a darling little tale.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

So unique and weird in the best ways. Loved every twist and turn, and how Bas and Dahl are there for each other when everything goes wrong.

[🔥Josie🎀 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s giving “The Witches” by Roald Dahl in the best way possible✨