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A Spoonful of Time
A middle grade novel in which time travel, family recipes, and family secrets collide.
There’s something almost magical about the way Maya’s grandmother cooks--and although Halmunee may be losing her memory, she always knows how to make the most delicious gimbap. Maya doesn’t remember her family’s old life in Korea, but she learns new recipes and stories when they cook together--stories that Maya's mom would prefer stayed in the past, especially if they involve Maya’s father.
One summer day, as Maya and Halmunee are making patbingsu, something unbelievable happens: a single delicious bite transports Maya and Halmunee back in time, into the memory itself. Halmunee explains that their family has the ability to time travel through food--and Maya can do it too, if she practices.
As she eats her way through the past, Maya tries to unravel the mystery of what life was like in Korea, and what really happened to her dad. She learns that time moves in ways she couldn't imagine . . . and that sometimes, families keep secrets to protect the ones they love.
There’s something almost magical about the way Maya’s grandmother cooks--and although Halmunee may be losing her memory, she always knows how to make the most delicious gimbap. Maya doesn’t remember her family’s old life in Korea, but she learns new recipes and stories when they cook together--stories that Maya's mom would prefer stayed in the past, especially if they involve Maya’s father.
One summer day, as Maya and Halmunee are making patbingsu, something unbelievable happens: a single delicious bite transports Maya and Halmunee back in time, into the memory itself. Halmunee explains that their family has the ability to time travel through food--and Maya can do it too, if she practices.
As she eats her way through the past, Maya tries to unravel the mystery of what life was like in Korea, and what really happened to her dad. She learns that time moves in ways she couldn't imagine . . . and that sometimes, families keep secrets to protect the ones they love.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published April 11, 2023
49 people are currently reading
2709 people want to read
About the author
Flora Ahn
5 books72 followersFlora Ahn is an attorney by day and an author and illustrator by night. Her work includes A Spoonful of Time (Quirk), The Golden Orchard (Audible Original), a children's chapter book series, Pug Pals (Scholastic), as well as her popular blog, Bah Humpug. Raised in California by her Korean immigrant parents, Ahn lives in Virginia with her three pugs and practices law in DC. She is always looking for opportunities to further pursue her love of food, books, drawing, and writing, and is especially excited to find ways to combine them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
March 26, 2025
3.5 rounded up. The time travel explanations were quite confusing for me.
July 5, 2025
4,5⭐️!!
June 8, 2023
I thought this book was cute. It shows a good image of a granddaughter dealing with her grandmother loosing her memory. It's also a really good book for middle grade children to learn so Korean words and culture. I personally love Korean culture and food so getting to read about a family relationship was really eye opening.
February 19, 2024
I really love the concept a lot, and the first third of the book was beautiful and terrific. The convoluted family secrets brought the book down from a four, though. If this had just been a book about the integral role that food can play in our memories and connections, it would have been so much better.
January 20, 2024
Наистина hearwarming история за момиче, което може да пътува във времето през вкусна готвена храна. Затопля сърцето.
April 18, 2023
3.5 stars
This was a cute food-centered story about Maya, a middle school student who discovers that some people in her family, namely her Halmunee (grandmother), can travel back in time using familiar foods as an anchor, and that she has the ability as well. It's always been her and her mom (her dad died when she was young), but things have become strained since her grandmother came to stay. Her grandmother is suffering from dementia symptoms, and because her mom is always working, it's up to Maya to watch her grandmother.
There were several elements that I related to, including what it was like having someone close to you suffering from dementia. While I am Taiwanese American, some of the cultural experiences mentioned here were familiar to me, and while the names of foods were not familiar, I still salivated over the descriptions and recipes that were included. I liked the illustrations and I also loved that food was the anchor for the time traveling. Maya knew nothing about her dad, and her mom didn't like talking about him and she was often too tired to cook Korean food, so I liked that Halmunee ended up spending time with Maya and teacher her about different foods and when they were eaten, and about some of the celebrations Koreans had.
I also loved the food! While some of the recipes include flour, which I cannot eat, I found many of the descriptions left me salivating, especially the soups! I would love to see a companion cookbook makes it way to publication, or maybe on the author's website.
However, there were things about the book that were confusing for me. The analogy of the movie theater sort of made sense to me, but I had trouble figuring out what I was seeing in the memories. Part of it was that Maya would say, "This must be so and so," but I would forget if she mentioned it was an uncle or aunt or grandmother or whatever, so it became a bit confusing. This was made both more clear and more confusing when the big reveal was made at the end. While the ending was really cool in how they resolved everything, we never did get a clear understanding of what the rules were in time traveling and what could or could not be changed.
While there was some resolution about Maya and her school project, I wish the author had spent a page or two sharing about the project and how it was received by the class. I appreciated that Maya had good friends (besides Jada) that she didn't realize until the end. I did appreciate the inclusion of Jada and her crush Emma, and that it wasn't a big deal, it was just normal.
Overall, this was an interesting concept and I liked the story, but I think there are other middle school books that handle time traveling in a clearer way. But ultimately, I think this story was more about family and the things that tie them together than it was about time travel. It's still worth reading and I would recommend it.
I received an advance review copy from the publisher and NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a cute food-centered story about Maya, a middle school student who discovers that some people in her family, namely her Halmunee (grandmother), can travel back in time using familiar foods as an anchor, and that she has the ability as well. It's always been her and her mom (her dad died when she was young), but things have become strained since her grandmother came to stay. Her grandmother is suffering from dementia symptoms, and because her mom is always working, it's up to Maya to watch her grandmother.
There were several elements that I related to, including what it was like having someone close to you suffering from dementia. While I am Taiwanese American, some of the cultural experiences mentioned here were familiar to me, and while the names of foods were not familiar, I still salivated over the descriptions and recipes that were included. I liked the illustrations and I also loved that food was the anchor for the time traveling. Maya knew nothing about her dad, and her mom didn't like talking about him and she was often too tired to cook Korean food, so I liked that Halmunee ended up spending time with Maya and teacher her about different foods and when they were eaten, and about some of the celebrations Koreans had.
I also loved the food! While some of the recipes include flour, which I cannot eat, I found many of the descriptions left me salivating, especially the soups! I would love to see a companion cookbook makes it way to publication, or maybe on the author's website.
However, there were things about the book that were confusing for me. The analogy of the movie theater sort of made sense to me, but I had trouble figuring out what I was seeing in the memories. Part of it was that Maya would say, "This must be so and so," but I would forget if she mentioned it was an uncle or aunt or grandmother or whatever, so it became a bit confusing. This was made both more clear and more confusing when the big reveal was made at the end. While the ending was really cool in how they resolved everything, we never did get a clear understanding of what the rules were in time traveling and what could or could not be changed.
While there was some resolution about Maya and her school project, I wish the author had spent a page or two sharing about the project and how it was received by the class. I appreciated that Maya had good friends (besides Jada) that she didn't realize until the end. I did appreciate the inclusion of Jada and her crush Emma, and that it wasn't a big deal, it was just normal.
Overall, this was an interesting concept and I liked the story, but I think there are other middle school books that handle time traveling in a clearer way. But ultimately, I think this story was more about family and the things that tie them together than it was about time travel. It's still worth reading and I would recommend it.
I received an advance review copy from the publisher and NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 15, 2023
Maya's grandmother moves in, and the two begin cooking their favorite Korean recipes together. Maya discovers that her grandmother has the ability to revisit moments of her past, using food as the memory trigger to time travel. They can't change the past, but can only watch themselves reliving those same moments, frozen in time. Maya has many questions about her Korean family, her father's death, and why her mother is so sad and distant. She hopes that these visits to the past will provide answers, but the more Maya finds out about her family, the more questions she has.
I love stories about time travel and all the timey-whimy wibbly-wobbly plot holes. I was very impressed with the imaginative way that this particular time travel works. It's more of a fantasy magic-system, rather than sci-fi time travel. Maya's grandmother just "feels" the memory and focuses on the time she wants to visit and is able to travel through time in an instinctive elemental way. There are some rules and boundaries to the ability, but I liked that it is accomplished by magic and not machine.
The coolest thing about this book is the Korean recipes that are sprinkled throughout the book. Every time that Maya's grandmother teaches her a new recipe, the reader has the opportunity to cook it too! I had never heard of any of these foods, so it was wonderful to learn about Korean cuisine.
It was very interesting to learn about Korean culture and see the connection between the generations of this family. There is one place that mentions teenagers drinking alcohol at a family party with their parents permission. I think this is perhaps an insight into Korean culture, and I found it interesting to see how different this is from typical American culture. Americans tend to be more strict about underage drinking, while other cultures around the world are more lenient as long as there is parental supervision.
I loved the themes of family togetherness in this book. There is such a strong family dynamic in the way each family member appreciates and honors the others, but they also feel frustrated or annoyed with each other just like any family. I loved seeing how these connections grew and changed through the story.
I loved Maya's character! I was immediately drawn into her story as she is trying to navigate the dangers of time travel and discover the truth about her family's past. She is extremely complex and emotional. I really connected with her.
There is one line in the book where Maya's best friend Jada starts to date another girl, and it just felt like it was thrown in completely randomly. There was no indication before that to show that Jada was a lesbian. It didn't fit with the rest of the story at all.
The plot twist in this book completely blew my mind! I never saw it coming, and then I had to wrap my mind around it, and think back to other points in the story and make sense of them with all the new knowledge that Maya discovers. This plot was amazing from beginning to end!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
I love stories about time travel and all the timey-whimy wibbly-wobbly plot holes. I was very impressed with the imaginative way that this particular time travel works. It's more of a fantasy magic-system, rather than sci-fi time travel. Maya's grandmother just "feels" the memory and focuses on the time she wants to visit and is able to travel through time in an instinctive elemental way. There are some rules and boundaries to the ability, but I liked that it is accomplished by magic and not machine.
The coolest thing about this book is the Korean recipes that are sprinkled throughout the book. Every time that Maya's grandmother teaches her a new recipe, the reader has the opportunity to cook it too! I had never heard of any of these foods, so it was wonderful to learn about Korean cuisine.
It was very interesting to learn about Korean culture and see the connection between the generations of this family. There is one place that mentions teenagers drinking alcohol at a family party with their parents permission. I think this is perhaps an insight into Korean culture, and I found it interesting to see how different this is from typical American culture. Americans tend to be more strict about underage drinking, while other cultures around the world are more lenient as long as there is parental supervision.
I loved the themes of family togetherness in this book. There is such a strong family dynamic in the way each family member appreciates and honors the others, but they also feel frustrated or annoyed with each other just like any family. I loved seeing how these connections grew and changed through the story.
I loved Maya's character! I was immediately drawn into her story as she is trying to navigate the dangers of time travel and discover the truth about her family's past. She is extremely complex and emotional. I really connected with her.
There is one line in the book where Maya's best friend Jada starts to date another girl, and it just felt like it was thrown in completely randomly. There was no indication before that to show that Jada was a lesbian. It didn't fit with the rest of the story at all.
The plot twist in this book completely blew my mind! I never saw it coming, and then I had to wrap my mind around it, and think back to other points in the story and make sense of them with all the new knowledge that Maya discovers. This plot was amazing from beginning to end!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
January 20, 2024
An unusual and appealing time travel story that combines cooking, family secrets, and friendship!
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https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/20...
June 24, 2023
What a delightfully fun read! This one will be perfect to share with my grandbabies. A Spoonful of Time is great for budding readers who want a little sci-fi and time travel in their reads.
Maya is a great character and I love how she is portrayed. Young readers are sure to connect with her as she goes through the mystery of her family history, the grief for her father and grandmother as well as the complexity of just being a kid with familial responsibilities.
Highly recommend this one. I sincerely appreciate Quirk Books for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Maya is a great character and I love how she is portrayed. Young readers are sure to connect with her as she goes through the mystery of her family history, the grief for her father and grandmother as well as the complexity of just being a kid with familial responsibilities.
Highly recommend this one. I sincerely appreciate Quirk Books for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 8, 2023
fun middle grade time travel--lots of food, family and friendship
June 19, 2023
*skips to recipe*
October 31, 2022
When Maya's Halmunee (grandmother) shows up unexpectedly one day, things begin to change for Maya. Her mom starts working longer and longer hours and Maya is expected to watch over Halmunee in addition to her regular responsibilities, but most of all, Halmunee begins to teach Maya to cook. As they make and enjoy traditional Korean dishes, Maya discovers the her family has a talent - they can travel back in time and observe their own memories through food. Halmunee insists that Maya has the talent, too. As Maya begins to work on developing her abilities, she discovers closely held family secrets. Is she strong enough to handle them?
I really liked Maya, she was realistic and spunky and believable. Most of the side characters were also relatable. It was an enjoyable read. One star marked down for the and the lack of explanation about traveling forward in time as well as back.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read that gives a peek into the cultural importance of food and family. Definitely recommended.
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I really liked Maya, she was realistic and spunky and believable. Most of the side characters were also relatable. It was an enjoyable read. One star marked down for the and the lack of explanation about traveling forward in time as well as back.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read that gives a peek into the cultural importance of food and family. Definitely recommended.
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
April 4, 2023
When Maya's grandma (Halmunee), who has symptoms of dementia, moves in with Maya and her mom, Maya begins to learn more about her family's past in a very unusual way: her family can time travel through food. When Halmunee cooks certain Korean dishes, she and Maya are transported back in time to visit special events that were significant to their family. As Maya's talent develops and she spends more time exploring her family's history, she learns some painful secrets.
I wanted to like this much more than I ended up liking it. The idea of food and memory being so interconnected was interesting, and I really enjoyed all of the food descriptions (and really appreciated Ahn including the recipes)! The story itself fell short, though. The time travel elements didn't really make sense (as opposed to the way it was depicted in another middle grade book I read recently), and it all felt a bit messy. That said, I had this at a solid three stars until the very ending because of the way Halmunee's dementia is ultimately addressed.
I think this was a clever idea, and I think kids will enjoy it, but I thought it needed a bit more fleshing out from a time travel standpoint. I loved Ahn's Pug Pals series and would gladly read another book by her in the future.
* Thank you to Quirk Books for the NetGalley review copy. A Spoonful of Time publishes April 11, 2023.
I wanted to like this much more than I ended up liking it. The idea of food and memory being so interconnected was interesting, and I really enjoyed all of the food descriptions (and really appreciated Ahn including the recipes)! The story itself fell short, though. The time travel elements didn't really make sense (as opposed to the way it was depicted in another middle grade book I read recently), and it all felt a bit messy. That said, I had this at a solid three stars until the very ending because of the way Halmunee's dementia is ultimately addressed.
I think this was a clever idea, and I think kids will enjoy it, but I thought it needed a bit more fleshing out from a time travel standpoint. I loved Ahn's Pug Pals series and would gladly read another book by her in the future.
* Thank you to Quirk Books for the NetGalley review copy. A Spoonful of Time publishes April 11, 2023.
March 18, 2023
***Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the free eArc!***
First of all, this book was fascinating. It was a super interesting concept and the way that the story was told through food and family was very sweet. Plus, there was a bit of mystery in the story that made me fascinated and wanting to keep reading. This was a super unique story and a really interesting execution.
However. There were a lot of drawbacks as well. The time jumps were kind of confusing, and it felt like there wasn't really a good, solid timeline of when events were happening and in what order, so it got kind of muddled and confusing. I felt like there wasn't much resolution in the stuff that was happening at school for Maya (like, what happened with Izzy and Emma? They were minor characters, but I want to know how their project went! Jada kind of stopped appearing for the last 25% of the book too.)
That being said, it definitely was a unique enough concept for me to Not Hate It. So, three stars.
First of all, this book was fascinating. It was a super interesting concept and the way that the story was told through food and family was very sweet. Plus, there was a bit of mystery in the story that made me fascinated and wanting to keep reading. This was a super unique story and a really interesting execution.
However. There were a lot of drawbacks as well. The time jumps were kind of confusing, and it felt like there wasn't really a good, solid timeline of when events were happening and in what order, so it got kind of muddled and confusing. I felt like there wasn't much resolution in the stuff that was happening at school for Maya (like, what happened with Izzy and Emma? They were minor characters, but I want to know how their project went! Jada kind of stopped appearing for the last 25% of the book too.)
That being said, it definitely was a unique enough concept for me to Not Hate It. So, three stars.
April 13, 2023
Audiobook review: I had preordered this and received the audiobook on the release day but it’s a hot mess. Part of one chapter is repeated in total in another chapter and I don’t know if they omitted parts of the book when they did this or if there were additional errors or what, but it was confusing. Wouldn’t recommend audiobook. If interested in the title I’d suggest ebook or physical copy instead. Liked the main character although she read much younger than junior high, loved the idea but the confusing story (possibly audiobook error related or not?) made this not worth the time and $ for audiobook.
July 27, 2025
Wow, this packed way more of a punch than I anticipated. Those twists at the end! What an exciting story. Time travel books always break my brain slightly so I have no idea if the logic of the plot actually tracked, but I think it made sense? Either way, this was a super fun read and has something for everyone - a generous dose of mystery, a spattering of historical fiction, some sci-fi elements, Korean family cooking (with recipes included!!), and so much to say about friendship and family and everyday life. I really enjoyed this, I think there's so much more to it than what you'd expect, and I will recommend this widely!
March 7, 2024
I was going to give this 3 stars originally because that was my enjoyment as an adult reader reading this tween book. I thought, for tweens this is pretty good-- good character detail, interesting, warm plot, fun recipes. And then the last 25% of the book happened, and now I'm giving it 3 stars because I think anyone who reads this would be very confused? It's a really unique idea but it comes out of left field and doesn't feel congruent with the rest of the book at all. I would need a whiteboard to explain this book to you.
January 3, 2024
Overall, this book took you through a roller coaster of emotions, especially at the end. I like the fact that cooking and time travel are incorporated in the book, together. It was a cool book, but it can get confusing at the end if you read to fast. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone searching for a light read that is also interesting.
February 6, 2025
3.5, rounded up to 4.
I got a little lost at the end there but overall enjoyable! I love the recipes in the book.
The whole time I thought Jeff was her dad.
Also the line that halmoni (spelling??) said at the end where she needs to go back to her love or something? 👀
I wonder if there will be a second book!
I got a little lost at the end there but overall enjoyable! I love the recipes in the book.
The whole time I thought Jeff was her dad.
Also the line that halmoni (spelling??) said at the end where she needs to go back to her love or something? 👀
I wonder if there will be a second book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2024
Sixth-grader Maya can only remember life with her mother but not her father. Her mother is very closed-mouth about Maya's dad, other relatives and their past. One day Maya's grandmother, Halmunee, appears at their home and moves into their lives. Maya loves spending time with her even though Halmunee seems to be in the early stages of dementia. Maya's mother has become distant and even cold at times but Maya revels in her relationship with her grandmother. Halmunee cooks delicious Korean food from memory and Maya delights in helping her in the kitchen. One day while eating a particularly savory dish, Halmunee takes Maya's hand and they are transported back through time where Maya sees younger versions of her family. Halmunee explains that the travel is a gift that only certain people are able to accomplish and that Maya herself can do so too if she will only practice. Maya is thrilled to think that she will be able to time-travel and see the father that she does not remember. Halmunee warns that the travel is not interactive and that Maya will only be able to observe. Maya soon learns the technique for herself but becomes concerned when she meets a young boy named Jeff who is alternatively friendly and stand-offish. When Maya learns the truth about Jeff, nothing makes sense any more.
This is a lovely story of a relationship between a granddaughter and a grandmother who is slowly disappearing into her own mind. The time travel at the taste of certain foods is interesting but it got a bit muddled for me after awhile. The unfolding of the story about Maya's dad is touching but confusing.
This is a lovely story of a relationship between a granddaughter and a grandmother who is slowly disappearing into her own mind. The time travel at the taste of certain foods is interesting but it got a bit muddled for me after awhile. The unfolding of the story about Maya's dad is touching but confusing.
November 16, 2023
Rounded up to 4 stars because it was really sweet and kept me hooked…but some of the time traveling aspects were confusing
November 9, 2025
A Spoonful of Time by Flora Ahn is my favorite book I have read for this class so far. This novel, ideally for grades 4-8, blends family, culture, and a touch of magical adventure. The story follows Maya, a young girl whose grandmother’s cooking unexpectedly sends her back in time to witness moments from her grandmother’s past in Korea. Through these journeys, Maya gains a deeper understanding of her family’s history, discovers the importance of heritage, and learns to appreciate the love, humor, and resilience that has shaped her family across generations.
The novel provides rich opportunities to explore themes such as family traditions, cultural identity, and empathy, making it a perfect springboard for discussions about students’ own families and personal histories. The story also inspires creative writing, as students can imagine what it would be like to travel back in time or relive moments from a loved one’s life. Additionally, it highlights a classic storytelling element: many memorable tales begin with a caring grandmother... someone who nurtures, teaches, and occasionally gets into a little mischief, adding humor, warmth, and heart to the story.
With its engaging plot, relatable characters, and meaningful themes, A Spoonful of Time is a great pick. It’s a captivating read that encourages young readers to think about the ways the past shapes the present, making it a wonderful choice for upper elementary classrooms.
September 26, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC! I had a hard time getting into this one at first. The concept just seemed so "out there" that I was not sure how I was going to feel about it. However, a few chapters in, I started to get intrigued. The main character is likable, I enjoyed the friend dynamic, you cannot help but love the grandmother, and the strained mother-daughter relationship started to make sense as the book went on. The connection of the food to the memories started to feel really neat, and I loved that there were recipes and illustrations "from Mya." Then I got to the twist, and I was hooked! I have talked to some of my 6th grade students about the book, and they are very interested, so I think this one will be a hit with a lot of middle grade readers. It is completely clean and has positive messages and relationships with just enough mystery to suck kids in. One reason for taking off a star was that it was hard to get into at first, and I worry kids will give up. I also felt like there were some things not clarified super well (like the time-jumping ahead), and I hate when things are loose like that. Otherwise, it took me by surprised, and I was happy I read it!
January 20, 2023
Adorable, cozy, and undeniably yummy - this story is a nice warm bowl of soup for your soul! I enjoyed reading about Korean culture and food as well as seeing Maya’s cute illustrations throughout. I especially appreciate how we got all the recipes because withholding that information after Ahn’s descriptions would be practically a crime!
Unfortunately, the story itself had some foundational flaws. For one, Maya and her friend Jada read younger than middle school. I think upper elementary students would relate more to them than actual middle schoolers. However, this is a small issue compared to Ahn’s time traveling system. Maybe I just needed a map, but the time traveling elements were very confusing, particularly after the big revelation regarding Halmunee. I got the movie theater analogy, but the rules concerning the past AND future lost me and I fear it would lose a lot of young readers too.
The realization that Halmunee didn’t actually have dementia also didn’t sit well with me; Kids who have loved ones suffering from this awful, incurable disease will want to relate to Maya, but it turns out Halmunee doesn’t have dementia at all and everything is returned to normal. I fear this will leave kids who at first formed a connection with Maya stranded and still looking for non-existing solutions rather than companionship.
Thank you to NetGalley, Flora Ahn, and Quirk Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Unfortunately, the story itself had some foundational flaws. For one, Maya and her friend Jada read younger than middle school. I think upper elementary students would relate more to them than actual middle schoolers. However, this is a small issue compared to Ahn’s time traveling system. Maybe I just needed a map, but the time traveling elements were very confusing, particularly after the big revelation regarding Halmunee. I got the movie theater analogy, but the rules concerning the past AND future lost me and I fear it would lose a lot of young readers too.
The realization that Halmunee didn’t actually have dementia also didn’t sit well with me; Kids who have loved ones suffering from this awful, incurable disease will want to relate to Maya, but it turns out Halmunee doesn’t have dementia at all and everything is returned to normal. I fear this will leave kids who at first formed a connection with Maya stranded and still looking for non-existing solutions rather than companionship.
Thank you to NetGalley, Flora Ahn, and Quirk Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
April 25, 2023
Maya’s life just got more complicated. While she’s trying to keep up with her schoolwork and her friends, now her grandmother is moving in. Maya’s Korean grandmother, who she calls Halmunee, is struggling with her memory. She forgets things sometimes and gets tired easily. And it’s up to Maya to help watch her because her mother is working a lot. So it’s Maya who is left home with Halmunee, to make sure she stays safe.
One summer day, when Maya is too hot to do much except lay on a bamboo mat to cool down, Halmunee says that it’s patbingsu weather. Maya is confused because it’s much too hot to cook. But as Halmunee starts to gather the ingredients and goes to dig something out of the garage, Maya goes to help and discovers that patbingsu is a delicious dish of shaved ice with red beans and fruits and condensed milk.
Maya is excited to learn more about Korean food, as her mother is usually too tired to cook when she gets home from work. And the patbingsu is so tasty! What else could Maya be missing?
But when Halmunee takes Maya’s hand as they’re eating, Maya finds herself not just lost in her patbingsu but lost in time. She is in another place, watching a young girl eat patbingsu. As Maya looks around, she realizes that she is in Korea, and based on the fashion she sees, it’s many years ago. She must be seeing her mother eat patbingsu with her grandmother, but this was when her mother was very young, younger than Maya is now. Maya can hardly believe what she’s seeing, and before she knows it, she’s back in her own home, in her own time.
Maya has so many questions for Halmunee, but her grandmother will only tell her so much. As the weeks go on, Maya finds her cooking more often, and sometimes those dishes will bring back a memory for Halmunee and she will take Maya back to another time. Maya loves these times, because not only does she get to taste more delicious homemade Korean food, but she also gets to know more about her family.
On one of her trips through time, Maya meets a boy around her age, Jeff. She talks to him, and he says that the next time they meet up, he’ll teach her more about the time traveling. But as much as Maya learns about her family and their ability to time travel, the more questions she has. But with Halmunee’s memory deteriorating, and her mother working so much, will Maya be able to get the answers she craves, or will she stay hungry for more?
A Spoonful of Time is the latest book from Flora Ahn, and it is a celebration of family and food. Maya gets a chance to learn more about her Korean heritage through the food she cooks with Halmunee, and we all get the chance to share in that, as there are several recipes included with the story. These characters are interesting and complicated, and the family relationships are multi-dimensional as well. There is a lot of love, but there are secrets keeping them apart also. There is a lot going on in this story.
I really enjoyed A Spoonful of Time. I was surprised at the depth that Ahn was able to accomplish in a short time with this book. The time travel element brings a lot of drama to Maya’s story and eventually takes a big twist that caught me completely by surprise. I love the recipes, complete with Maya’s notes and drawings. And I appreciated the way I got to learn more about Korean culture through the food, the stories, and the family bonds. The time travel element makes this one a better read for more mature readers (not unlike A Wrinkle in Time), but for those readers ready to take on a challenging book, they will be very lucky to find themselves in Maya’s world and all the places she travels to.
Galleys for A Spoonful of Time were provided by Quirk Books, with many thanks.
One summer day, when Maya is too hot to do much except lay on a bamboo mat to cool down, Halmunee says that it’s patbingsu weather. Maya is confused because it’s much too hot to cook. But as Halmunee starts to gather the ingredients and goes to dig something out of the garage, Maya goes to help and discovers that patbingsu is a delicious dish of shaved ice with red beans and fruits and condensed milk.
Maya is excited to learn more about Korean food, as her mother is usually too tired to cook when she gets home from work. And the patbingsu is so tasty! What else could Maya be missing?
But when Halmunee takes Maya’s hand as they’re eating, Maya finds herself not just lost in her patbingsu but lost in time. She is in another place, watching a young girl eat patbingsu. As Maya looks around, she realizes that she is in Korea, and based on the fashion she sees, it’s many years ago. She must be seeing her mother eat patbingsu with her grandmother, but this was when her mother was very young, younger than Maya is now. Maya can hardly believe what she’s seeing, and before she knows it, she’s back in her own home, in her own time.
Maya has so many questions for Halmunee, but her grandmother will only tell her so much. As the weeks go on, Maya finds her cooking more often, and sometimes those dishes will bring back a memory for Halmunee and she will take Maya back to another time. Maya loves these times, because not only does she get to taste more delicious homemade Korean food, but she also gets to know more about her family.
On one of her trips through time, Maya meets a boy around her age, Jeff. She talks to him, and he says that the next time they meet up, he’ll teach her more about the time traveling. But as much as Maya learns about her family and their ability to time travel, the more questions she has. But with Halmunee’s memory deteriorating, and her mother working so much, will Maya be able to get the answers she craves, or will she stay hungry for more?
A Spoonful of Time is the latest book from Flora Ahn, and it is a celebration of family and food. Maya gets a chance to learn more about her Korean heritage through the food she cooks with Halmunee, and we all get the chance to share in that, as there are several recipes included with the story. These characters are interesting and complicated, and the family relationships are multi-dimensional as well. There is a lot of love, but there are secrets keeping them apart also. There is a lot going on in this story.
I really enjoyed A Spoonful of Time. I was surprised at the depth that Ahn was able to accomplish in a short time with this book. The time travel element brings a lot of drama to Maya’s story and eventually takes a big twist that caught me completely by surprise. I love the recipes, complete with Maya’s notes and drawings. And I appreciated the way I got to learn more about Korean culture through the food, the stories, and the family bonds. The time travel element makes this one a better read for more mature readers (not unlike A Wrinkle in Time), but for those readers ready to take on a challenging book, they will be very lucky to find themselves in Maya’s world and all the places she travels to.
Galleys for A Spoonful of Time were provided by Quirk Books, with many thanks.
January 26, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Maya has lived with just her mother, work works in a busy legal office, since her father died when she was young. She has Gizmo to keep her company, and recently her mother's mother, her Halmunee, has moved in with them because she is having memory issues. While it's nice to have someone to talk to, Maya sometimes misses the quiet. When her grandmother starts cooking traditional Korean dishes and sharing them, something amazing happens; Maya and Halmunee travel back in time to events where Halmunee has good memories of when the food was served. From eating iced treats in the summer to celebratory parties and picnics, the two get glimpses of Halmunee's life. This is especially nice for Maya, who has few memories of her father, and whose mother refuses to discuss the past. At one point, Maya meets a boy her age, Jeff, who claims that he, like Maya, is from the present an dable to travel through time. They meet in an orchard that has memory trees of different people's lives, but can't locate her fathers. Back in her own time, Maya has a school project she needs to work on with Jada and Izzy, but between traveling to meet Jeff and dealing with her grandmother's worsening memory loss, she lets this slide. She eventually tells Jada what is happening when the time traveling takes several surprising turns. When Maya's mother claims that she and Halmunee are "not a typical mother-and-daughter pair", she is not exaggerating. Will Maya hone her skills at traveling and be able to solve some of the mysteries of her past while repairing her relationship with her mother?
Strengths: Maya is a great, independent middle grader who is used to taking care of herself but who also enjoys cooking with her grandmother. There are a lot of recipes, and so many food descriptions; really, it's a shame to read this and NOT be able to have Korean food for dinner! The time travel world is well developed, and I was completely surprised by some of the developments, so I don't want to say too much and spoil it. Jada and Izzy are supportive friends, and having a project that needed to be worked on was a great way to ground the story in middle grade reality. The Our Town style snapshots of Maya's family's past were rather bittersweet, and made me wish that I could have time traveled with my own grandmother since she, like Maya's mother, never discussed the past. Of course, she probably would only have made desserts!
Weaknesses: Like all really great time travel books, this made my brain hurt a little bit.
What I really think: I will definitely purchase this for readers who like magical realism with cultural connections like Villanueva's Sugar and Spite or time travel books like Barrow's The Magic Half and Asselin and Malone's The Art of the Swap. The cover is great, and Gizmo reminds me of this author's illustrated elementray title, Pug Pals.
Maya has lived with just her mother, work works in a busy legal office, since her father died when she was young. She has Gizmo to keep her company, and recently her mother's mother, her Halmunee, has moved in with them because she is having memory issues. While it's nice to have someone to talk to, Maya sometimes misses the quiet. When her grandmother starts cooking traditional Korean dishes and sharing them, something amazing happens; Maya and Halmunee travel back in time to events where Halmunee has good memories of when the food was served. From eating iced treats in the summer to celebratory parties and picnics, the two get glimpses of Halmunee's life. This is especially nice for Maya, who has few memories of her father, and whose mother refuses to discuss the past. At one point, Maya meets a boy her age, Jeff, who claims that he, like Maya, is from the present an dable to travel through time. They meet in an orchard that has memory trees of different people's lives, but can't locate her fathers. Back in her own time, Maya has a school project she needs to work on with Jada and Izzy, but between traveling to meet Jeff and dealing with her grandmother's worsening memory loss, she lets this slide. She eventually tells Jada what is happening when the time traveling takes several surprising turns. When Maya's mother claims that she and Halmunee are "not a typical mother-and-daughter pair", she is not exaggerating. Will Maya hone her skills at traveling and be able to solve some of the mysteries of her past while repairing her relationship with her mother?
Strengths: Maya is a great, independent middle grader who is used to taking care of herself but who also enjoys cooking with her grandmother. There are a lot of recipes, and so many food descriptions; really, it's a shame to read this and NOT be able to have Korean food for dinner! The time travel world is well developed, and I was completely surprised by some of the developments, so I don't want to say too much and spoil it. Jada and Izzy are supportive friends, and having a project that needed to be worked on was a great way to ground the story in middle grade reality. The Our Town style snapshots of Maya's family's past were rather bittersweet, and made me wish that I could have time traveled with my own grandmother since she, like Maya's mother, never discussed the past. Of course, she probably would only have made desserts!
Weaknesses: Like all really great time travel books, this made my brain hurt a little bit.
What I really think: I will definitely purchase this for readers who like magical realism with cultural connections like Villanueva's Sugar and Spite or time travel books like Barrow's The Magic Half and Asselin and Malone's The Art of the Swap. The cover is great, and Gizmo reminds me of this author's illustrated elementray title, Pug Pals.
May 2, 2024
A Spoonful of Time
by Flora Ahn
3.5 out ouf 5 stars
It should be four stars if the author has explained more.
Well, when I was scrolling my Libby apps, in order to find a book for my #SpringwithKoreanLit challenge, I came across this book. The cover, title, and also blurb has intrigued me. I did wonder what kind of story the author wants to bring. A lot of interesting elements were there, food and time travel. Hmm, so, how was the story going?
In their quiet and peaceful life, Maya live with only her mother. When halmunee came and live with them, almost everything in Maya’s life has changed. One thing that shocked Maya is halmunee’s ability to travel back in time. Another shocking truth is, the fact that Maya herself can also do it.
At first, Maya thought if she can travel back to the past, she can relive her memories of her dad. Yeah, Maya’s dad has passed away when Maya was a little. Maya’s mom seems very reluctant to share anything about Maya’s dad. Therefore, Maya’s memories of her father become more and more faded. But well, even though the initial plan was only that, eventually Maya get to know about the whole truth that has being a secret of her mother. Now, this time travel isn’t as simple as reliving a memory. It’s beyond than that and Maya has kinda responsibility to bear with.
In my opinion, this book is totally perfect for a middle grade. Not only because the story is relatively easy to digest, but also a lot of things can be learned trough Maya’s story. I really love how they also include some of the Korean’s food recipe here. It made me want to make and eat it!
What I feel lacking from this book is the concept of their time travel itself. Until the end, it still confusing to me. So, actually the one who do have a time travel ability are able to go to the past and future? On what condition they can stay as a real real entity or just the viewer? I don’t think the author explained that concept thoroughly.
Well, otther than that I should admit that I didn’t expect the twist about Halmunee’s identity. After tthat, I eventually also wonder Jeff’s identity but it turned out not very surprising.
But well, I kinda enjoy the story, tho. The story is cute and quite unique. Made me want to read another middle grade book again.
by Flora Ahn
3.5 out ouf 5 stars
It should be four stars if the author has explained more.
Well, when I was scrolling my Libby apps, in order to find a book for my #SpringwithKoreanLit challenge, I came across this book. The cover, title, and also blurb has intrigued me. I did wonder what kind of story the author wants to bring. A lot of interesting elements were there, food and time travel. Hmm, so, how was the story going?
In their quiet and peaceful life, Maya live with only her mother. When halmunee came and live with them, almost everything in Maya’s life has changed. One thing that shocked Maya is halmunee’s ability to travel back in time. Another shocking truth is, the fact that Maya herself can also do it.
At first, Maya thought if she can travel back to the past, she can relive her memories of her dad. Yeah, Maya’s dad has passed away when Maya was a little. Maya’s mom seems very reluctant to share anything about Maya’s dad. Therefore, Maya’s memories of her father become more and more faded. But well, even though the initial plan was only that, eventually Maya get to know about the whole truth that has being a secret of her mother. Now, this time travel isn’t as simple as reliving a memory. It’s beyond than that and Maya has kinda responsibility to bear with.
In my opinion, this book is totally perfect for a middle grade. Not only because the story is relatively easy to digest, but also a lot of things can be learned trough Maya’s story. I really love how they also include some of the Korean’s food recipe here. It made me want to make and eat it!
What I feel lacking from this book is the concept of their time travel itself. Until the end, it still confusing to me. So, actually the one who do have a time travel ability are able to go to the past and future? On what condition they can stay as a real real entity or just the viewer? I don’t think the author explained that concept thoroughly.
Well, otther than that I should admit that I didn’t expect the twist about Halmunee’s identity. After tthat, I eventually also wonder Jeff’s identity but it turned out not very surprising.
But well, I kinda enjoy the story, tho. The story is cute and quite unique. Made me want to read another middle grade book again.
March 20, 2023
Maya's grandmother is an amazing cook who can bring the past (literally) to life with her dishes, but she is slowly losing her memory, increasing tension at home. It seems like ever since Halmunee came to live with them, Maya's mom has been spending more and more time at work, widening the gap between her and Maya. But Maya enjoys spending time with her grandma, especially when she reveals that her food can transport them into the past to relive memories. As Maya learns more about her family's special talent, she starts taking more risks and when her grandmother gets lost one night another shocking secret is revealed, changing everything all over again.
Man, there are some good twists in this one! It ticks a lot of my boxes, just based on the summary - time travel, food, multigenerational storyline - and I dig a good middle grade book, so I was already ready to like this one, but the characters and the story Ahn crafts made this a love. Though the time travel aspects can at times be a bit confusing, it mimics what Maya is experiencing in her journey to learn how it all works so you are learning alongside the character and understanding more about the complexity as she does. I also loved that while the story handles some very serious topics - loss of a parent, loss of a sibling, dementia and the impact it has on caregivers, single parenthood, etc. - the overall tone is still light and heartwarming. Though the main conflicts and mysteries are resolved by the end, there is a last-minute reveal that makes you both hope for more of Maya and her family while giving you enough to draw satisfying conclusions in the event that there is no sequel. If this is an indication of what Ahn has to give us, I can't wait for more!
Thank you to Quirk Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read A Spoonful of Time early in exchange for an honest review.
Man, there are some good twists in this one! It ticks a lot of my boxes, just based on the summary - time travel, food, multigenerational storyline - and I dig a good middle grade book, so I was already ready to like this one, but the characters and the story Ahn crafts made this a love. Though the time travel aspects can at times be a bit confusing, it mimics what Maya is experiencing in her journey to learn how it all works so you are learning alongside the character and understanding more about the complexity as she does. I also loved that while the story handles some very serious topics - loss of a parent, loss of a sibling, dementia and the impact it has on caregivers, single parenthood, etc. - the overall tone is still light and heartwarming. Though the main conflicts and mysteries are resolved by the end, there is a last-minute reveal that makes you both hope for more of Maya and her family while giving you enough to draw satisfying conclusions in the event that there is no sequel. If this is an indication of what Ahn has to give us, I can't wait for more!
Thank you to Quirk Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read A Spoonful of Time early in exchange for an honest review.
March 11, 2024
From the very first page of "A Spoonful of Time" by Flora Ahn, I was whisked away on a delightful journey that melds the warmth of family traditions with the thrilling twists of time travel.
The plot centers around Maya, a young girl who discovers an extraordinary family secret while cooking with her grandmother, Halmunee. The dishes they prepare together do more than nourish; they transport them back into memories, allowing them to experience their family's history firsthand. This magical realism aspect is handled with a deft touch, making the time-traveling sequences feel as natural as they are fantastical. Maya's bond with her Halmunee is beautifully depicted, resonating with anyone who has cherished moments with a loved one. The tension between preserving memories and the fear of uncovering painful truths adds depth to their journey, making the characters' personal growth and discoveries all the more rewarding.
The representation of Korean culture through the lens of family recipes and traditions adds a layer of authenticity and inclusivity, inviting readers of all backgrounds to appreciate the diversity of experiences and stories. The novel handles themes of memory, loss, and the complexities of family with sensitivity, making it accessible to its intended middle-grade audience while still offering insights that will resonate with adult readers.
My only reservation, and the reason for a four-star rating, lies in the novel's pacing and resolution. While the journey is enchanting, some moments felt rushed, leaving a few threads of the narrative feeling slightly underexplored. Nevertheless, these are minor critiques in what is otherwise a heartwarming and engaging story.
The plot centers around Maya, a young girl who discovers an extraordinary family secret while cooking with her grandmother, Halmunee. The dishes they prepare together do more than nourish; they transport them back into memories, allowing them to experience their family's history firsthand. This magical realism aspect is handled with a deft touch, making the time-traveling sequences feel as natural as they are fantastical. Maya's bond with her Halmunee is beautifully depicted, resonating with anyone who has cherished moments with a loved one. The tension between preserving memories and the fear of uncovering painful truths adds depth to their journey, making the characters' personal growth and discoveries all the more rewarding.
The representation of Korean culture through the lens of family recipes and traditions adds a layer of authenticity and inclusivity, inviting readers of all backgrounds to appreciate the diversity of experiences and stories. The novel handles themes of memory, loss, and the complexities of family with sensitivity, making it accessible to its intended middle-grade audience while still offering insights that will resonate with adult readers.
My only reservation, and the reason for a four-star rating, lies in the novel's pacing and resolution. While the journey is enchanting, some moments felt rushed, leaving a few threads of the narrative feeling slightly underexplored. Nevertheless, these are minor critiques in what is otherwise a heartwarming and engaging story.
April 16, 2024
I'm just beyond fascinated that I JUST watched the movie Past Lives and then the concept in THAT FILM was also in this book. I'd never heard of inyeon before that and now here it is again!
This book is a bit complex and somewhat long for the average middle grade reader (specifically 2024's middle grade readers) - but I loved that concept and I'm CERTAINLY hungry after finishing this story!
And by the way, here's a summary of the movie PAST LIVES (taken from theconversation.com):
" “There is a word in Korean – inyeon. It means providence or fate. But it’s specifically about relationships between people.” So writer Nora Lee tells her American lover when they meet on an artists’ retreat in director Celine Song’s new film, Past Lives.
The film tells the story of two lives unfolding in parallel, converging only briefly in moments of inyeon. One life is Nora’s time as a child in Korea with her cheot-sarang (first love), and the other is her life in New York when her first love comes to visit her 24 years later, after she has married and settled down with an American husband.
Past Lives explores inyeon through the relationship between Nora (or Na-Young as she was known in Korea) and Hae-Sung, her childhood friend and crush.
Like so many stories about relationships told over an extended time, Past Lives uncovers the twists and turns, the “what ifs” and the manifold choices that lead to two people wondering whether they were meant to be together. Nora’s introduction of the concept of inyeon to the story gives the characters space to explore possibilities of coming together not just in this life, but in lives before and after the present one."
This book is a bit complex and somewhat long for the average middle grade reader (specifically 2024's middle grade readers) - but I loved that concept and I'm CERTAINLY hungry after finishing this story!
And by the way, here's a summary of the movie PAST LIVES (taken from theconversation.com):
" “There is a word in Korean – inyeon. It means providence or fate. But it’s specifically about relationships between people.” So writer Nora Lee tells her American lover when they meet on an artists’ retreat in director Celine Song’s new film, Past Lives.
The film tells the story of two lives unfolding in parallel, converging only briefly in moments of inyeon. One life is Nora’s time as a child in Korea with her cheot-sarang (first love), and the other is her life in New York when her first love comes to visit her 24 years later, after she has married and settled down with an American husband.
Past Lives explores inyeon through the relationship between Nora (or Na-Young as she was known in Korea) and Hae-Sung, her childhood friend and crush.
Like so many stories about relationships told over an extended time, Past Lives uncovers the twists and turns, the “what ifs” and the manifold choices that lead to two people wondering whether they were meant to be together. Nora’s introduction of the concept of inyeon to the story gives the characters space to explore possibilities of coming together not just in this life, but in lives before and after the present one."
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