Hot, Sour, Salty, Sweet

by Sherri L. Smith, Delacorte Press, 2008,

176 pp., $12.47, ISBN 978-0-385-90431-5

Reviewed by Julia Maiava, Grade 7

Marshall Middle School, Olympia, Washington

It’s eighth grade graduation and Ana Shen walks up to read her speech. The audience is clapping and this strange rumbling noise happens. A pipe bursts and water is shooting in every direction. The purple graduation gown Ana is wearing starts to stain her dress and her hair gets out of control. Ana thinks it can’t get worse but unfortunately, it can. After the pipe bursts and people are trying to find their families, Ana and her best friend are talking to the cutest guy in school when they accidentally say that Ana’s having a graduation dinner at her house. From then on it’s chaos. Ana and her family have four hours to make the meal. Her grandmas can’t agree on anything while competing for her attention, her best friend is going to be late and the girl she absolutely hates shows up! If you like a humorous, drama-filled book then this is for you.