A Long Line of Cakes

Aurora County #4

by Deborah Wiles

Emma Lane Cake has five brothers, four dogs, and a family that can't stay put. The Cake family travels from place to place, setting up bakeries in communities that need them. Then, just when Emma feels settled in with new friends . . . they move again.

Now the Cakes have come to Aurora County, and Emma has vowed that this time she is NOT going to get attached to ANYONE or ANYTHING. Why bother, if her father's only going to uproot her again?

But fate has different plans. And so does Ruby Lavender, who is going to show Emma Lane Cake a thing or two about making friendship last.

Genres: Middle Grade, Friendship, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Family, Audiobook

288 pages, Hardcover

First published August 28, 2018

About the author

Deborah Wiles is the author of several highly acclaimed books, including the beloved Love, Ruby Lavender and two National Book Award finalists–Each Little Bird That Sings and Revolution. Her first picture book, Freedom Summer, received the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award. She is also an NAACP Book Award finalist, E.B. White Award winner, Golden Kite Award winner, Jane Addams Peace Award Finalist, and recipient of a PEN Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Working Writer Fellowship. Her most recent novel is for young adults, Kent State. Her newest picture book, Simple Thanks, was published in 2024. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia. You can visit her on the web at deborahwiles.com, write with her at Storybelly.com, and follow her on social media platforms at @deborahwilesbooks.

Reviews

[Karis · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a fun, quirky middle-grade book with a sweet lesson and message of friendship, then look no further than A Long Line of Cakes.

I grew up loving two of the other books in the Aurora Country series. Back then I was the same age as the characters and loved the quirkiness of both the writing style (I’m still not sure how to categorize its unique POV—omniscient maybe?) and presentation of simple lessons easily applicable to a kid my age. I wish that instead of discovering this book so many years later, I would have read it back when I read the others. If at all possible DO read them in order, for each builds on the other’s climax. The main characters of this book jump onto the scene of sleepy Halleluia, just after a big town event; and if you haven’t read these in order, much of that lingering hubbub will seem confusing and overwhelming and lose its meaning.

But on to the story, the Cakes breeze into Halleluia just as they have to countless other places. You can think of them as a Mary Poppins type of family. As itinerant bakers, coming from a lonnnnnng line of traveling baking families, they call no place home and stay in each place baking and sharing their goods until they’re no longer needed, at least that’s what Emma Lane Cake’s dad has already said. But Emma’s tired of always saying goodbye to friends and leaving; yes, she and her 6 brothers love baking, and she can make a wicked chicken noodle soup, but as she looks at her friend atlas—all the friends she’s left behind throughout the years, she longs for a place to permanently call home.

Decathect (a word Ruby Lavender might love to use)
verb
* to withdraw one’s feelings of attachment from (a person, idea, or object), as in anticipation of a future loss

This time she decides that it’s not worth it to make close friends only to have to add them to her Friend Atlas and never see them again once she moves again. So, she determines not to give into her silly feelings that this might be the town the one her father will finally decide to call home, and just to be content with shallow friendships—ones that can’t hurt her. But the very first day, Ruby Lavender barges into her life and rather effectively shatters her resolve. Ultimately the decision to stay rests with her adventure-seeking father; can she find a way to get him to see Halleluia as their lasting home?

In this zany Mississippi town that tugs on Emma’s heart, we learn a thing or two about what a home really is and the power of lasting friendships.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Return to the world of Aurora County with the Cake family. The Cakes are a family of iterant bakers, there's father Leo, mother Arloin, daughter Emma, and brothers Ben, Jody, Van, Roger and Gordon. Emma and Ben are ready to settle in one location, could Halleluia, Mississippi in Aurora County be the place? It's up to their father, what could lead him to stay?

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did t realize that this book was a part of The Aurora County series. The books in this series are good, the problems benign.

Many of my students love the characters and the stories they tell.

This reader likes more exciting books.
I loved Denorah Wiles series of Countdown and Revolution.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed the other books, Each Little Bird That Sings and The Aurora County All-Stars, featuring small-town Hallelujah, Mississippi, well enough, this one didn't really charm me until I reached the end. And even then, I knew where the story was going and how things would turn out. It might be as another reviewer commented that these books need to be read close together in order to appreciate the town and its eccentric citizens and their personalities, relationships, and history, more fully. Perhaps because the years that passed in between my readings, I ended up being a bit annoyed and confused by some of what was no doubt intended to be charming. I'm sure I am in the minority here, but I am growing tired of books depicting charming but odd little Southern towns and their equally odd inhabitants, and I was left cold by the Cake family and their unlikely names: Emma Alabama Lane Cake and Gordon Ridiculously Easy No-Knead Sticky Buns Cake, indeed. While many readers can relate to the plight of Emma who is tired of having to leave yet another friend as her father leads his family onward to the next place and they'll be thrilled that she finds a friend in Ruby Lavender, I found it hard to believe that Arlouin Cake, the matriarch, hadn't put her foot down earlier, and insisted that the family stay put. Of course, this story at its heart is about a search for a place to stay and call home and a place to belong, something many of us long for, but I just wish the outlandishness and the many characters whose actions were often hard to understand without more background had been lessened. Those aspects detracted from my enjoyment of the story and the author's strong voice as well as those vivid descriptions of yummy cakes. I've found that life is always better when cake is served and that dessert is an essential part of the meal, ideas that come through clearly here.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Long Line of Cakes by Deborah Wiles, 257 pages. Scholastic Press, 2018. $18.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The Cakes are itinerant bakers, they travel where they are needed and serve where they land, they never go anywhere more than once. When they feel they are no longer needed they move on. Leo, Arlouin and their six children, along with a bunch of dogs, land in Halleluia, Missouri and start a new bakery. The Cakes bake wonderful cakes and their oldest daughter, Emma, makes delicious soup. But Emma is tired of moving and leaving friends behind. This is the story of how the Cakes learn that just because you have always done something doesn't mean you need to always continue doing it.

I am going to miss the Cake family, the story is full of adventures and interesting characters. Well written, an excellent example of descriptive writing. Oh and there is a delicious sounding cake recipe and frosting recipe included!

Lisa Moeller, Language Arts Teacher and Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited that Deborah Wiles chose to write yet another novel in the Aurora County, Mississippi world as I have really enjoyed all of them and the characters are so well developed. This one did not disappoint, except I struggle with any books where the parents are perfectly happy to repeatedly uproot their children and move from location to location without real necessity to do so. There are of course many careers that require families to move regularly, but this was not one of them. Additionally the mother was clearly tired of moving, but instead of insisting they stay or even voice her opinion, she just deferred to her husband which was an extra thorn for me. It all worked out, but those two big things really knocked it down the two stars.

[Tj Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's no secret I love Deborah Wiles. My wife is the world's greatest Aurora County All-Stars fan. I absolutely loved this book. Sweet and gentle storytelling that brings you into a wonderful world of strange and enchanting characters.

Favorite quote: "You can't run away from your heart by going somewhere else.' said Miss Eula. 'I found that out the hard way, too. You suit up and show up right here, every day. With those who love you."

[Brenda Kahn]

Reviewing professionally

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Long Line of Cakes is the fourth book in the Aurora County series by Deborah Wiles. Picking up immediately where book three, The Aurora County All-Stars, left off, the story begins with the Cakes family arriving in town. They are itinerant cake bakers, so they never stay in one place too long, but as soon as she sets foot in their new home, Emma Lane Cake, one of the five Cake kids, wishes she could make Aurora County her permanent address. Knowing she can't, however, and feeling heavy with the sadness of having said goodbye to many best friends in the past, Emma hesitates about making yet another new friend she will have to leave behind. But when Emma meets Ruby Lavender, she decides to put herself out there just one more time. Soon, the two girls hatch a plan that might help Emma's parents change their minds about moving so often.

I think of this author as Fannie Flagg for tweens. Each of the books of this series is so gentle, and the setting is so idyllic, that a reader can't help but feel a sense of cozy comfort when she is immersed in these stories. That said, for a fourth book of a series, published 11 long years after the third book, it assumes a lot of background knowledge on the part of the reader. I read the entire series for the first time in order to be ready for reading my ARC of this one, and it's a good thing I did. Had I not done so, I definitely would have been lost for much of the book. There are so many characters, and they share so many memories and traditions that the reader really can't appreciate the Cakes' love for Aurora County without understanding all of these details, most of which have been established by an earlier book and are only alluded to in this one. It felt like the book was trying both to tell a new story and to bring all of the previous stories to a satisfying conclusion at the same time, and it often felt like too big of a task.

All that said, for fans of the series, or those willing to go back and read the earlier volumes, there is a lot to like about A Long Line of Cakes. Kids can relate to the importance of home and friendship and they will easily become invested in understanding Emma's father's long-forgotten connection to Aurora County. The way things are resolved is also very satisfying, especially for kids like I was, who crave uncomplicated happy endings and hate goodbyes. This was an okay read for me, and it definitely does not stand alone, but for the right child who has enjoyed the earlier books, it could become a favorite.

This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story ties into the Ruby Lavender books by Wiles. It moved a little slowly in the beginning but with the Ruby Lavender tie ins to the story is was an enjoyable addition to her earlier books about Ruby.

[Gracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is really good, and it deserves the medal. But, it was really really really really really really really slow.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The truth is, I’ve moved so many times, I don’t know where I’m from.”

This is the 7th time Emma’s family as moved (that she remembers ... she is sure there have been others.) Moving has always just been a way of life for Emma and her 5 brothers (Ben, Jody, Van, Roger and Gordon). It’s what Cakes do. “We move and we bake. We come to a town when it needs us, and we leave when it doesn’t need us anymore.”

Who makes the decision to go? How do they know when they are no longer needed? Emma’s father just gets that feeling and they move on. Emma is really starting to hate moving and new places, but to her father it’s one big adventure. “He loved the first moments of a new life in a new place. everything was possible and nothing was spoiled. There was no disappointment. The world was born again, every time they stepped across a new threshold.”

This time they are in Halleluia, MS. Would this place be different? It felt different. The old silver maple on their new property seems so welcoming ... almost like it’s smiling. “Was she mistaken, or did everything about this town feel alive and waiting for her?” Upon closer look, Emma catches a glimpse of a note inside the knothole of that silver maple. Was the note for her? On a whim, she places her own note in the silver maple knothole: To whom it may concern, I am cooking an interesting soup Saturday afternoon. Please come.

She almost immediately regrets the action. This time, Emma decides that there is no way she is going to open up her heart again. She is not going to make a friend that she will just lose sooner rather than later. She’s tired of adding another entry to her huge Map of the Known World and Friends, According to Emma Alabama Lane Cake. It chronicles all the places she has been and all the friends she has left behind. Why go through all that again?

Why? Because she’s never had a friend like Ruby Lavender. Ruby shows up for the soup, much to Emma’s horror. “Don’t let her in! I’ve changed my mind.” But Ruby enters Emma’s life anyway. “I’m here to meet your soup cooker.” Their friendship has a rocky beginning, but it isn’t long before “Emma was lost. She was hopelessly, helplessly, happily lost in a new friendship. She gave herself to it completely.” Ruby is quirky and opinionated and knows that Emma needs her, especially in Halleluia, MS.

But Emma knows it’s only a matter of time before they move on, unless she figures out a way to keep her father from moving on. And maybe is the kind of girl that can help her figure out just how to do that.

A charming story about friendship, home and finding a place to belong. “I think it’s magical, to belong to one place. A place. Some place. Any place.” I’m happy to see Ruby Lavender return to the page. The author has, again, created an unusual small town and beloved characters that contribute to the chaos and joy of living in that small town. And the Cake family fits right in ... so how could they possibly leave? With plenty of ❤️ and humor, this book would make a fun read aloud for 3rd grade and older.

[Beth Rodgers · Rating 3 out of 5]

'A Long Line of Cakes' by Deborah Wiles, set in a comfortably cozy town where everyone knows each other, captures the true meaning of finding yourself and the friendships that come along the way. Emma Lane Cake has moved to town with her parents, five brothers, and four dogs so that her family can open up a new bakery. They move from town to town doing just this, and Emma, while she makes friends everywhere she goes, has decided that it isn't worth doing it again, lest she be hurt by losing any new friends she does make when her parents decide to move yet again.

Emma's plan is not as easy as she thought, for when she meets Ruby Lavender, she has trouble keeping her promise to herself. A new friendship seems in the cards, but she holds back on giving of herself completely, as her fear of being hurt by loss causes her to succumb to uncertainty over whether she should even bother getting to know Ruby.

While it was a bit hard to follow who each character was in as much detail as some readers might like, especially with the Cake kids who all had such long and involved names, the kindness found within the setting of Aurora County helps to offset this. Even though there are lots of people who aren't necessarily explained in thorough enough detail in this book, readers who have read past books in this series will likely be more familiar with the characters and setting.

With Ruby's help, Emma Lane Cake learns what friendship can be, and they work together to help Emma keep her parents from doing the thing she hates most - moving and taking her from everything she knows and loves.

Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels

*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*

[faatima · Rating 5 out of 5]

All over the world humans journey, sometimes outward, sometimes inward, sometimes both. We can live in a generational homeplace or be itinerant. Maybe we are migrants, or nomads, or refugees - sometimes we are all these astonishments in a lifetime.

We wander and we experience. We run from, we run to. We welcome and we reject. We forget and we remember. We leave and we return. We strive and we lift up others in the struggle.

Each day we begin in our quest to be safe, to be loved, to belong, and to find home.

And if we are lucky, there is cake.

I have waited years of my life to read a book that I never knew would exist in the first place. I'm not sure if Wiles intends this to be the last in her Aurora County franchise, considering she decided to write this new installment quite a few years after the others, but if it is in fact the conclusion to this town's tales, then I'm endlessly enamored by it. Wiles packs so much love into her work, and to return to it as an adult after having read it since I was a child truly brought me so many times to tears. Love, Ruby Lavender was one of the first books I read when moving to Texas from California; I was new, I was isolated, and all I had was my mother and the audiobooks she played for me in the car. It must be an amazing feeling to know you've filled so many children's loneliness with sympathy and comfort. I cannot be more grateful to her for all of the love that she's given me.

FINAL RATING: 5

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Aurora County novel from Deborah Wiles is cause to celebrate! This is especially true given that I had thought the series was complete with the publication of The Aurora County All-Stars.

The Cake family, with five boys, one girl, and their parents, arrive in Aurora County in the middle of the night. This itinerant baking family travels around from place to place baking cakes and helping people out until it is time to move again. They are a delightful crew who work together as a team when it is time to bake, but those boys can be raucous when the work is done and it’s time to play.
Emma, the only daughter, has had enough of moving and leaving friends behind. She is determined to harden her emotions and not develop any close relationships this time. Luckily, she is no match for Ruby Lavender, the protagonist from the first book in the series. Together the two of them hatch a plan to force the Cake family to stay.

I’m pretty sure I gained weight reading about all the cakes, cookies and muffins the family prepares. I kept wondering and hoping if there would be recipes at the end. You will be happy to know that there is, but you will have to read the book to find out what kind!

[Carrie]

It is hinted that the grandfather of the main character, Emma, was a homosexual. This occurs in the last few chapters and epilogue. If you prefer to teach traditional relationship values to your child or prefer to hold off on these conversations until they are older, then this may not be the book for you or a book you’d want your child to read without parental guidance. I read it aloud to my daughter and did not love the “surprise” ending. We discussed our family/biblical values so it was still good for us. Loved the southern charm and the imagery the author creates out of mere words. The main character’s parents were totally committed to each other and stated it and showed it. That was lovely to see modeled. When it dawned on me where the book was headed, I looked for reviews to tell me if I was correct and could not find any. So here’s one for ya if you’re trying to confirm your suspicions.
There’s also a young boy that loves wearing tutus. Could mean nothing, but in this day and age I feel like that’s unlikely.

[viemag · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Long Line of Cakes by Deborah Wiles is the 4th book in her Ruby Lavender series. This story features the Cake family, a family of itinerant bakers who come to Aurora County because they have received a letter saying that their services as cake bakers are needed there. The Cakes move frequently and the children know not to form attachments and friendships because they will have to say goodbye one day when the family moves again. But, this time Emma Cake meets Ruby Lavender and everything changes. This book is delightful. There are many laugh out loud moments and frequently I wanted to write down lines. I especially liked that all the children and adults from Aurora County were in the book. I also liked the touch of magical realism that is present in this story. It gave the story a special touch and dream like quality. I found myself thinking I needed to re-read all the Ruby Lavender stories and to hope Deborah Wiles writes another story with these delightful people.

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 4 out of 5]

A (literally!) sweet book about family, friendship, neighbors, home--and cake! The Cake family has always been a family on the move--they are itinerant bakers, landing in one place and baking cakes "until their job is done," and then moving on. But Emma, having finally made a friend in the town of Halleluia (it was touch and go for a while, due to the tragic chicken incident) is growing dissatisfied with this life, wanting to actually have a friend for a while instead of continuing to add to her "former friend atlas." So she cooks up a scheme that will keep her family in one spot; meanwhile, her parents are trying to sort out exactly why they ended up in Halleluia in the first place--and why it feels strangely familiar.

I loved the characters in this book--the Cake family, their dogs and their friends, and all the quirky townspeople. The plot has just enough interest in it, too. It reminded me of the Vanderbeeker books. Oh--and there's lots of descriptions of cakes and pies! :)

[Leah Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Long Line of Cakes is a sweet and charming story, perfect for kids in grades 5-7. The story follows Emma Lane Cake, whose family is always on the move, opening bakeries in different towns before packing up and leaving again. But when they land in a small Mississippi town, Emma starts to wonder if they should actually stay. She makes new friends, including the lively Ruby Lavender, and for the first time, she feels like she belongs. I picked this book because it’s full of heart, humor, and a lot of delicious cake. In class, students will relate to Emma’s struggle of finding where she fits in and enjoy the fun, quirky characters. Plus, it’s a great way to start conversations about change, friendship, and what it really means to call a place home. A perfect pick for readers who love realistic stories with a little Southern charm.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute always-the-new-kid story with a little bit of mystery. And a lot of cake.

Emma and her family are itinerant bakers--they constantly move from town to town selling their cakes. This sounds exciting, but it means constantly leaving new friends behind. It also means nowhere ever feels like home...and Emma and her brothers suddenly find themselves desperate to call Hallelujah, Mississippi home.

With a mysterious connection to their father, a nosy news lady stirring up trouble, and a secret plan to force her parents to stay, Emma finds herself learning just what "home" means...and what it means to grow roots.

[Charlotte]

not my cup of tea as a whole. Noel Streatfield at one point got a piece of writing advice to the effect that if you can cut a character from the story and no one will notice, that character needs to be cut. This was the case with two of the five brothers (I only remember big brother, whinny brother, and little brother). I did not find the cake names amusing. And I don't like dogs. On the plus side, Emma is an appealing main characer, and I love the old house she claims as her own.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deborah Wiles writes wonderful youth fiction. This was a fun read, even if I couldn't remember half of the events that took place in the companion book Love, Ruby Lavender (which I read last year...I think). Only one quibble--LOTS of characters. Family, townspeople, friends, relatives--I found it difficult at times to keep everyone straight in my head. Four stars.

[Kristin Runyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed this return to Aurora County, Mississippi. Read this book during a family move and the idea of friendship and creating a place was particularly poignant. Emma Cake is a perfect edition to Ruby Lavender and Comfort Snowberger.

[Lpc0615 · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will want to eat cake, at the very least! You may even decide to bake a cake!! In which case get started with the Simple, Classic, Melt-In-Your-Mouth White cake recipe found at the end of the story! Delightful book! Magical!

[Natasha · Rating 1 out of 5]

My kids actually asked to STOP reading this book! I was reading it aloud to them and we were about 3/4 of the way through and we all hated it. It is very weird. Weird names. Weird people. Weird town. Weird writing.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This final (?) book of the Aurora County series stands alone, but now I want to go back and start at the beginning with "Love, Ruby Lavender" to get to know the large cast of characters better. Feels right, this one told from the perspective of a "new girl"

[Joann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite Deborah Wiles, although Ruby Lavender, a character I truly enjoyed, appears again here.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

E-ARC from Edelweiss
I loved meeting this family of bakers as they joined characters from Love, Ruby Lavender.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Deborah Wiles and her sense of family and community. I didn't think this was her strongest storytelling but I enjoyed it overall.

[Fats · Rating 3 out of 5]

"You can't run away from your heart by going somewhere else."

3.5 stars for the Cake family and love for Ruby L. (To Whom It May Concern)