Nixie Ness: Cooking Star

After-School Superstars #1

by Claudia Mills, Grace Zong (Illustrator)

Best friends Nixie and Grace spend every afternoon together . . . until Nixie's mom gets a new job and Nixie must attend the after-school program, without Grace.

Third graders Nixie Ness and Grace Kenny have been best friends since they were two-years-old. They have always spent every afternoon after school at Nixie's house until Nixie's mom announces that she has a job, which means she won't be there to watch the girls after school, which means Nixie will have to go to the after-school program and Grace will be spending her afternoons at their classmate, Elyse's, house.

Nixie begrudgingly starts the after-school program, joining the cooking camp. And it turns out that the other children at cooking camp are nice, and the recipes they make are delicious. But Nixie can't really enjoy being an after-school superstar until she finds a way to overcome her jealousy about Grace and Elyse's budding friendship.

Perfect for fans of Judy Moody, Ivy and Bean, and Clementine, this new chapter book series features recurring characters, and each book will highlight one activity they do at their after-school program. The books are illustrated in black and white and include a bonus activity that corresponds to the book's plot. Nixie Ness: Cooking Star features a recipe for morning glory muffins. The next book in the After-School Superstars series, Vera Vance: Comics Star, is scheduled for release in Spring 2020.

Genres: Middle Grade, Friendship, Realistic Fiction, Cooking, Food, Chapter Books, Childrens

144 pages, Hardcover

Published June 11, 2019

About the author

Claudia Mills is the author of Nixie Ness, Cooking Star, 7 x 9 = Trouble!, Zero Tolerance, Write This Down, and many other books for children. She was born in New York City in 1954. She received her bachelor's degree from Wellesley College, her master's degree from Princeton University, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Princeton University. She also received an M.L.S. degree from the University of Maryland, with a concentration in children's literature. She had a second career as a professor of philosophy at the Colorado at Boulder, until leaving that career in 2014 to write full time. She now teaches in the graduate program in children's literature at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia. All of her books have been written between 5 and 7 in the morning while drinking Swiss Miss hot chocolate.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/claudi...

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The detailed illustrations by Grace Zhang do such a great job complementing the books in this series. I love reading about kids cooking, so it was a treat to read about Nixie's month in the After School Cooking Class. And Vera Vance, Comic Star, is in Nixie's cooking group. That little group had really well-developed characters. I'm not sure if I like Boogie (Brewster) or Nolan better. . . Kids who also like to read about cooking should try the Next Best Junior Chef Series by Charise Mericle Harper or the 'The Donut Fix' and 'The Donut King' by Jessie Janowitz.

[Kim Tomsic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friendships, cooking camp, comedy, and drama-this yummy story has it all. Nixie is a lovable and perfectly flawed character. While she enjoys after-school cooking camp, her best friend Grace begins spending time at a new friend's house--a friend with a kitten! Now Nixie worries she's losing her best friend and she needs to win her back. But plan after plan bombs, and Nixie creates such a huge mess that she just might lose Grace's friendship for good.
This chapter book is a must-add to any 7-10 year-old child's collection. A delicious story with a delightful cast of characters. Not only will readers crave chocolate cake, they'll also crave more after-school-camp reading adventures.

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing new or deep here. Just another nice, believable story about kids and their everyday feelings, written by an expert of the craft.

Those worried about inclusiveness will be pleased to see that Nixie is blond but other cast members are clearly of other ethnic backgrounds, and there is a reference to one of them being Indian. On the other hand, every single character regardless of ethnicity has the same shaped nose....

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: “Come back, puppy noses!” Nixie Ness scolded.

Premise/plot: Nixie Ness and Grace Kenny are best, best, best friends. But their friendship is tested when Nixie joins an after-school program—a cooking class or camp—and Grace does not. The two are used to spending each afternoon together. Now Grace goes to Elyse’s house after school. Elyse has a new kitten. Elyse and Grace become inseparable within days. Nixie is frustrated, sad, lonely, angry, and jealous. Nixie is spending time with others too, but, reluctantly. Her teammates are not best friend material. (Though Vera does seem fun!) Can Nixie come up with a (successful) plan to get Grace back?!?!

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. Nixie is a character that is easy to relate to. Friendship among young girls—these are third graders—is such a tricky, tricksy thing to navigate. Emotions run high. I enjoyed the theme of friendship and forgiveness. I also enjoyed the cooking aspect of it.

[Bonnie Auslander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mills has created another delicious dish with her latest, her first in a new series since moving over to Holiday House. In addition to a thoughtful tug-at-the-hearstrings lesson on exclusivity & growth, Mills’ palate-pleasing book romps enjoyably through multicultural menus of a cooking school camp, complete with desserts as well as healthful meals that actually taste good. Cookies even play a starring role at resolving the dilemma. Mills’ trademark wit and compassion towards her characters is as on-target as ever. Fans of early chapter books want to devour this on the spot!

[Tiffany Painter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute book with endearing characters. I can’t wait to share it with my third graders.

[Keilah T · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a cute story but it was not my favorite. There was nothing going on that much not a lot of drama and I found it kinda boring. But it was a cute story and I’d recommend it but it just was not my favorite.

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Nixie’s mother returns to working full time outside of the house, she has to adjust to going to an afterschool program instead of coming home. Her mother cared for her and her best friend Grace, but now they have to separate and Nixie feels jealous of the new friend that is made by Grace. Her afterschool program is spending the month learning how to cook and she decides that maybe the way to keep her friend is through cooking special things for her, but when things don’t go as expected Nixie must learn how to accept change and widen her circle of friends.

This beginning chapter book will appeal to new readers ready for longer stories with early elementary themes like new friends, cooking, and being open to change. Nixie not only has to deal with the change in her relationship with her best friend, but she sees how happy and satisfying it is for her mother when she is working at her job in the bookstore. Charming black and white illustrations offer visual interpretations of select scenes in the book and there is also a bonus recipe for the morning glory muffins Nixie makes in the story. This appears to be the first book of a series called After-School Superstars which will publish the second book in early 2020. I would recommend this book for purchase by any elementary school or public library. Nixie’s story is surely one that kids who like realistic series fiction will enjoy.

This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As hard as it may be to find a good friend, someone on whom we can rely, keeping that friend can be even harder. Nixie Ness and Grace Kenny are best friends, and have been close since they were very young. But this year in third grade, Grace seems to moving in different directions than Nixie, which makes Nixie anxious. When her mother finds a job that she loves and can no longer take care of both girls after school, the distance between them threatens to become insurmountable. Nixie goes to a cooking camp after school while Grace spends time with Elyse, another classmate who has a cat. At first Nixie tries to get out of the camp, but then she decides to use the cooking skills she is developing to give a surprise to her friend. Nothing works, and Nixie feels at a loss about what to do. The plot is relatable to most youngsters who worry about being replaced by another friend, and the illustrations capture the essence of the characters. I appreciated the author covering this topic so honestly and showing that Nixie can't see the possible friendships and experiences around her because she's so caught up in getting back Grace. This is a promising start for a new series from this reliable author who clearly understands the real life issues that plague youngsters.

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third-grader Nixie Ness like to cook. She also likes things the way they are. Changes are here, however. Her mother has a new job. This means Nixie has to participate in an afterschool program. Sure, it's cooking, but this means she no longer gets to spend afternoons with her best friend. Instead, her best friend is spending the time with someone else. Nixie devises plans to win her best friend back, but they are doomed to failure. Can she adjust? Can she get her friend back? Can she make new friends? These are typical third-grade issues and, as always, Claudia Mills puts things in a child's perspective beautifully.

[Madeline Pratchler · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I read this book together. Nixie and Grace are best friends, but when Nixie's mom starts working outside of their home, her after school routine changes. Now instead of Grace coming over each day, Nixie must attend an after school cooking camp. Grace now goes to Elyse's house and suddenly, it appears as though Grace and Elyse are becoming best friends and Nixie feels left out. Nixie thinks of a few plans to get her best friend back, but while she does so, she discovers that there are friends all around her. A great story on character building, friendships, and working things out!

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nixie and Grace have been best friends forever, so when Nixie's mom tells them she's getting a job it means the two girls won't be able to spend afternoons together anymore. In fact, Nixie will be starting the after school program and Grace will be going to a different friend's house after school. Nixie does not want to go to the program, and grumbles about the cooking camp she's in. Eventually she becomes friends with the other three students in her group, but then also has to deal with the feelings she has about Grace spending time (and becoming close friends) with someone else.

A nice young reader book about different forms of friendship.

[Laura Perdew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claudia Mills takes her love and talent for writing about school to AFTER school. NIXIE NESS: COOKING STAR is the first of what will surely be a hit series about after school programs. Nixie faces many changes in this book, but surrounded by a humorous group of new friends and lots of good food, she navigates and accepts the changes. I love that this book is set in an after school program, too...there are few books out there with such a setting

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet friendship and cooking story that lots of kids will be drawn to, because even as an adult I enjoyed reading it. It looks like the next book in the series is about Nixie’s friend Vera, which will be nice for the diversity aspect. I wish the covers of the books showed the whole group of characters instead of just one, but I do like her diverse group of friends.

Side note: I also love this book discusses the importance of apologies. I feel like that art is lost sometimes

[Ann Haefele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this out loud to my 7 year old granddaughter over FaceTime. . It is the first in a series about a group of kids participating in an after school camp that sponsors different activities. This book was about cooking camp and a recipe is included at the end for muffins that the kids made. It’s a fun group of characters (2 boys and 2 girls in their cooking group) , each with a distinctive personality. We’re both looking forward to reading the 2nd one, “Vera Vance, Comics Star”.

[Wina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade 1-5, Claudia Mills is the best for gently realistic reads! This book was dedicated to me, and I helped with details in the book, so I am emotionally bonded to this book! Other than that it was sweet and has well-rounded characters, and is about understanding friendship better. I love Claudia Mills. Personally.
First in a series, probably 4 books.

[Laura Roettiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming story of friendship and loyalty. Poor Nixie’s life is upended when her mom’s job changes Nixie’s after school routine with her best friend. Friends are so important at any age and this tale touched my heart.
Such well written, relatable characters with the promise of the series featuring other characters I’ve already grown to care about.

[Zazie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about a group of kids going off to cooking camp and I loved every second of this! I'm so glad I decided to pick it up this morning. It took about 2 hours for me to read, but it was well worth the time. I'd read the next book in the series, for sure. I'd also recommend the book to kids.

[Brenda Kahn]

This was such a relatable well-told story of changing friendship for the elementary crowd. Dynamics change all the time and it's often no one's fault. That doesn't make the change any easier though. Mills captures these little moments so perfectly.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claudia Mills knows 3rd and 4th grade kids! Friendship and best friends are a big deal. Friendship is hard to build, hard to keep and hard to share when you're also working really hard to get out of your own way. That's what happens to Nixie. Will she lose a friend or find a way to have many?

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book deals with the issue of jealousy. Nixie has a best friend, Grace, who due to circumstances is no longer able to be as close to Nixie as Nixie wants. Nixie feels threatened that her best friend has now found a new best friend.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun first entry in a new series. Captures the friendship and inner growth struggles of that 2nd to 3rd grade age in a relatable and realistic way. I liked how the main character was flawed and showed growth. I think that kids will understand where she is coming from. Adds some humor as well.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nixie Ness: Cooking Star was a cute chapter book. Nixie doesn't like change. When her mom changes jobs, she has some adjusting to do. This has a cute message about keeping an open mind and owning up to mistakes. I might pick up a few more in the series.

[Erica Witsell · Rating 5 out of 5]

My eight-year-old twin daughters could not put this book down. They loved the characters and are eagerly awaiting Mill's next book!

[Kathy (Bermudaonion) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Mills College Library]

Fiction M6572n 2019

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way the author writes about friendships changing has a truth and authenticity that rings true even when read as an adult.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - engaging characters, real drama

[Lucia Galluzzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

short but great

[Paul Delacruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baking Friends

Good lessons for preschool girls on how to get along with friends. Short book and easy to read.