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Space for Saffron
Not yet published
Expected 3 Feb 26A budding scientist must figure out how to help save her family’s cafe and impress at her new school’s science fair in this charming young middle grade read, perfect for fans of the Meena Zee and Front Desk series.
Ten-year-old Saffron Sawyer loves science, experimenting, and learning new things. From making homemade slime in the back of her moms’ (Mama and Mimi) coffee shop to adopting tadpoles out of the river to learning how to fix bikes from watching YouTube videos, Saffron is confident she’s prepared for any challenge. But when Mama announces they are moving to Silicon Valley to take over Gran’s café, it’s Saffron’s biggest undertaking yet.
Silicon Valley is very different from what Saffron’s used to. The streets are filled with electric cars instead of pick-up trucks, and instead of fixing their bikes, people buy new ones. Even worse, the coffee shop is struggling, and if it closes, Saffron and her moms will move again—leaving Gran behind.
The one bright spot is Saffron has started at school just in time for the STEM Expo. Science has always been her favorite subject and she’s excited to present her project…until she sees the elaborate presentations her classmates have planned. Convinced she can never measure up, Saffron decides not to join the expo after all.
But when Gran takes Saffron to a space-themed art installation in San Francisco, Saffron has an idea for a STEM Expo project that could help her win over her classmates—and maybe even save Gran’s café for good.
Ten-year-old Saffron Sawyer loves science, experimenting, and learning new things. From making homemade slime in the back of her moms’ (Mama and Mimi) coffee shop to adopting tadpoles out of the river to learning how to fix bikes from watching YouTube videos, Saffron is confident she’s prepared for any challenge. But when Mama announces they are moving to Silicon Valley to take over Gran’s café, it’s Saffron’s biggest undertaking yet.
Silicon Valley is very different from what Saffron’s used to. The streets are filled with electric cars instead of pick-up trucks, and instead of fixing their bikes, people buy new ones. Even worse, the coffee shop is struggling, and if it closes, Saffron and her moms will move again—leaving Gran behind.
The one bright spot is Saffron has started at school just in time for the STEM Expo. Science has always been her favorite subject and she’s excited to present her project…until she sees the elaborate presentations her classmates have planned. Convinced she can never measure up, Saffron decides not to join the expo after all.
But when Gran takes Saffron to a space-themed art installation in San Francisco, Saffron has an idea for a STEM Expo project that could help her win over her classmates—and maybe even save Gran’s café for good.
- GenresMiddle GradeFiction
192 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 3, 2026
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 26, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Ten-year-old Saffron's Mama works at Mr. Millington's cafe in Cedar Springs, Iowa, and Saffron (who has a hearing aid) is allowed to visit after school as long as she stays in the corner, working quietly. When she tests out her volcano and ruins the walls, Mama loses her job. Since her other mother, Mimi, works construction, Saffron can't stay with her after school. When Saffron's beloved Gran wants Mama to manage her coffee shop in Silicon Valley for six months helping out Uncle Toby it seems like a perfect opportunity. Mimi isn't thrilled about leaving Iowa, but agrees to go. Once in California, it is quickly apparent that the cafe is failing. Gran leaves on an extended art vacation, and Mama is in charge of the failing cafe. Saffron doesn't have a great first day at school, but does meet Hannah, whose grandmother is friends with her grandmother. Saffron was very excited about a volcano project she was working on for her other school, but the students in her new school all have much more exciting ones, so she throws hers in the trash. She and Hannah think that having a theme at the cafe tied to the local interest in science would be good. Saffron steals a spring from Hannah's trampoline in order to work on an idea for a swing, and when she finds out that Hannah's mother bought a new trampoline, is glad to get all of the old springs. The girls know that to be successful there needs to be more games, better decor, and an unpdated menu, and get to work. There are some snags along the way, but their STEM related theme seems to work. When Gran returns home suddenly, she is willing to paint the walls of the cafe. Saffron and her mothers will say in the apartment over the space, and Safffron is glad to be in California because of all of the STEM activity at her new school, and because she will get to be near Uncle Toby's new baby.
Strengths: This was a fun look at a family business, and all of the parents were alive! Saffron has some trouble at her new school but quickly adapts, and isn't averse to the move. She rallies her friends around her to help save the cafe, and the science theme will go over well with fans of STEM programs. Ms. Nakamura, her teacher, is an amusing minor character. We even learn a little bit about Silicon Valley. The representation of Saffron's hearing aid is interesting and well explained. The only time she seems to have a lot of trouble with hearing things is when she is eavesdropping!
Weaknesses: Saffron has some trouble with impulse control, and she is never really reprimanded for some of her bad behavior, which has significant impacts on those around her. This seemed odd. Since Saffron is ten, this is best suited for elementary readers.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoy a good "save the family business" story like Caprara's The Ripple Effect, Greenwald's Wishing on Matzo Ball Soup: Ellie's Deli, or Granillo's Cruzita and the Mariacheros.
Ten-year-old Saffron's Mama works at Mr. Millington's cafe in Cedar Springs, Iowa, and Saffron (who has a hearing aid) is allowed to visit after school as long as she stays in the corner, working quietly. When she tests out her volcano and ruins the walls, Mama loses her job. Since her other mother, Mimi, works construction, Saffron can't stay with her after school. When Saffron's beloved Gran wants Mama to manage her coffee shop in Silicon Valley for six months helping out Uncle Toby it seems like a perfect opportunity. Mimi isn't thrilled about leaving Iowa, but agrees to go. Once in California, it is quickly apparent that the cafe is failing. Gran leaves on an extended art vacation, and Mama is in charge of the failing cafe. Saffron doesn't have a great first day at school, but does meet Hannah, whose grandmother is friends with her grandmother. Saffron was very excited about a volcano project she was working on for her other school, but the students in her new school all have much more exciting ones, so she throws hers in the trash. She and Hannah think that having a theme at the cafe tied to the local interest in science would be good. Saffron steals a spring from Hannah's trampoline in order to work on an idea for a swing, and when she finds out that Hannah's mother bought a new trampoline, is glad to get all of the old springs. The girls know that to be successful there needs to be more games, better decor, and an unpdated menu, and get to work. There are some snags along the way, but their STEM related theme seems to work. When Gran returns home suddenly, she is willing to paint the walls of the cafe. Saffron and her mothers will say in the apartment over the space, and Safffron is glad to be in California because of all of the STEM activity at her new school, and because she will get to be near Uncle Toby's new baby.
Strengths: This was a fun look at a family business, and all of the parents were alive! Saffron has some trouble at her new school but quickly adapts, and isn't averse to the move. She rallies her friends around her to help save the cafe, and the science theme will go over well with fans of STEM programs. Ms. Nakamura, her teacher, is an amusing minor character. We even learn a little bit about Silicon Valley. The representation of Saffron's hearing aid is interesting and well explained. The only time she seems to have a lot of trouble with hearing things is when she is eavesdropping!
Weaknesses: Saffron has some trouble with impulse control, and she is never really reprimanded for some of her bad behavior, which has significant impacts on those around her. This seemed odd. Since Saffron is ten, this is best suited for elementary readers.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoy a good "save the family business" story like Caprara's The Ripple Effect, Greenwald's Wishing on Matzo Ball Soup: Ellie's Deli, or Granillo's Cruzita and the Mariacheros.
December 3, 2025
Thoughtfully written to showcase a young girl's voice in both the literal and figurative sense is how this reader characterizes this novel.
The reader will easily hear Saffron's 'voice' given her word choices as well as how she expresses her emotions. To further enhance the read, the author intersperses contemporary acronyms via a respected adult, Saffron's teacher. In doing so, the author demonstrates an understanding of how today's youth communicate.
Then there's the thoughtful, creation of Saffron, a character who possesses a bone in hearing aid. When she is not using it to its full capacity or disables it, the reader sees Saffron lose track of what's being said around her by both other children and adults. This is done in how the prose is written, by conspicuously having parts missing. This provides the reader a glimpse of what the deaf community experiences.
The title chosen comp[iments the read by featuring not just the subject matter Saffron is more than mildly obsessed with but has a broader meaning.
It's a four rather than five read as puzzled as to Mimi's reluctance to move as well as identity of Saffron's uncle's wife and the unexpected intro of an adoption.
The reader will easily hear Saffron's 'voice' given her word choices as well as how she expresses her emotions. To further enhance the read, the author intersperses contemporary acronyms via a respected adult, Saffron's teacher. In doing so, the author demonstrates an understanding of how today's youth communicate.
Then there's the thoughtful, creation of Saffron, a character who possesses a bone in hearing aid. When she is not using it to its full capacity or disables it, the reader sees Saffron lose track of what's being said around her by both other children and adults. This is done in how the prose is written, by conspicuously having parts missing. This provides the reader a glimpse of what the deaf community experiences.
The title chosen comp[iments the read by featuring not just the subject matter Saffron is more than mildly obsessed with but has a broader meaning.
It's a four rather than five read as puzzled as to Mimi's reluctance to move as well as identity of Saffron's uncle's wife and the unexpected intro of an adoption.
November 6, 2025
I enjoyed this book a lot as an adult reader, and I think it will be very engaging for middle-grades readers, especially those interested in STEM. I loved how Saffron's bone-anchored hearing aid was highlighted and featured throughout the book, including the author making a point to occasionally omit some words and syllables from overheard conversations to illustrate how Saffron would've perceived the situation with her hearing impairment.
It was a little hard to believe , but I'm perfectly willing to suspend disbelief in these situations for an otherwise entertaining kids' story. It also seemed a little odd that there wasn't a more serious response to , something that could've been a big safety issue. This seemed like it would've been a good place for a lesson about honesty and consequences.
Overall an enjoyable book and a good addition to an upper-elementary or early middle school library or classroom!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC.
It was a little hard to believe , but I'm perfectly willing to suspend disbelief in these situations for an otherwise entertaining kids' story. It also seemed a little odd that there wasn't a more serious response to , something that could've been a big safety issue. This seemed like it would've been a good place for a lesson about honesty and consequences.
Overall an enjoyable book and a good addition to an upper-elementary or early middle school library or classroom!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had me smiling SO HARD. As a former (and honestly current) disaster creator, I relate to Saffron’s impulsivity and know so many of my students will, too! I love all of Saffron’s family in this novel, from her awesome moms (can they adopt me?), her amazingly supportive uncle, her grandma, and her new friends, all of whom love Saffron just as she is and see her brilliance from the start. I was inspired by her creativity and loved how the author gave her a strong motivation and a huge win at the end. It was so cool to see her and her friends have so much agency in making a big change (you’ll see) and the support they get from the adults to do so. I NEED to go to a space themed okay cafe. And also that museum they go to!!! Wow. The author writes with awesome space metaphors, fun humor, and some truly heartfelt lines that stop you in your tracks. I loved this book!!!
November 16, 2025
Space for Saffron is an engaging, STEM-focused early middle grade. Ten-year-old Saffron faces new adventures of moving across the country, making new friends, finding the right STEM Expo project, and helping to save her family's cafe. It was clear that the author was well-versed in space facts and Saffron's bone-anchored hearing aid. I loved how welcoming her new friends were and how her family supported each other. Overall, it was a charming, relatable reminder that "messy can be a good thing sometimes" and "everybody should have a place that feels like home to them."
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
When ten-year-old Saffron and her moms uproot their lives for a six-month stint in San Francisco, Saffron is sure that being in the tech capital of the world will solve so many of her problems. But life in Silicon Valley isn't as easy to slip into as it seems: the family cafe is struggling, her mimi is hesitant to feel settled, and Saffron feels lightyears behind her tech-minded classmates. Will Saffron finally find a space where she fits?
This book includes hearing impairment representation as well, with Saffron having a bone anchored hearing aid.
This book includes hearing impairment representation as well, with Saffron having a bone anchored hearing aid.
December 7, 2025
An extremely delightful mix of fun and science! Engaging for kids and adults alike! Introduces scientific concepts in a way that sparks curiosity which is awesome for a book like this!
Loved that I was able to get an advance reader copy of this one! Thanks Edelweiss.
Loved that I was able to get an advance reader copy of this one! Thanks Edelweiss.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance copy from the author after much anticipation, and my goodness, this book did not disappoint! SPACE FOR SAFFRON is an adorable and earnest story of big change, big feelings, and big risks, as fifth grader Saffron looks for a place in which she belongs. I absolutely loved Saffron's deep interest in space - I learned so much from her! - as well as her sometimes disastrous but always well-intentioned impulsiveness, and her determination to fix problems big and small had me rooting for her all the way through. There's also fantastic queer and disability representation, and the cast of characters is diverse in backgrounds/appearances/abilities/personalities; this book feels like a full, complex world with an easy-to-follow story that encourages kids to explore their passions, creatively problem-solve, and be proud of the things they create.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews