Ready, Set, Dough! by Kelly J. Baptist
ISBN: 0593429184
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Zoe is an aspiring writer and loves her journalism class. She has so many good ideas for future news stories that she needs a reliable computer. She dreams of owning a new laptop especially when the family computer keeps crashing. When she learns the top seller in the cookie dough fundraiser will receive the laptop of their dreams, she becomes a selling machine. Unfortunately, her selling tactics come at a price – she neglects  her best friend and misses his state championship swim meet, she only sees her brother as someone to give her a ride and not someone with his own dreams and aspirations, and most importantly, she doesn’t realize something is going on with her father’s job until after he loses his job. This realistic fiction book will appeal to upper elementary readers. The author conveys an important message about empathy and selfishness in a gentle and at times humorous way. Readers will find the fundraiser a little over the top but it is really just a vehicle to show the growth of Zoe’s character as she learns to pay attention to her family and friends. While not quite in league with the author’s other 2023 middle grade title (Eb & Flow), younger readers should enjoy this book.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham