Where There's a Whisk

(Hardback)

---

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Opportunity is what you make it in this up-beat and inspiring YA about food, friendship, and being true to yourself.

Peyton Sinclaire wants nothing more than to escape her life as a diner waitress in her small, North Florida town, attend culinary school, and become a professional baker. So when Food TV sends out a call for Top Teen Chef, its newest show that pairs reality TV drama with a fast-paced culinary competition, Peyton knows this is her best chance to make her dreams come true and a chance to prove to herself and the world that where you're born does not determine where you can go. However, Peyton quickly discovers that the network is more interested in ratings and drama than a properly seasoned steak, and that there is more than just the other competitors standing between her and the culinary school scholarship that goes to the winner of the competition.

After she is given a stereotyped and scripted "storyline" -- which exploits the poverty and difficulties of her childhood -- she is given two choices: play the role the producers gave her or get a one-way ticket back home. As the competition begins to heat up, Peyton wonders if her culinary skills are enough to keep impressing the judges and if any of the other contestants are playing up their roles, like she is, to keep from being eliminated. Desperate to prove she deserves to win and struggling to find a balance between playing her part and making friends with her fellow contestants, Peyton must decide how far she is willing to go and what she is willing to sacrifice in order to win.

Reviews

Praise for Sarah J. Schmitt and It's a Wonderful Death
"Fun, funny, and full of life."
--Kirkus
"Full of snark and morality, RJ is a teen girl that many readers will relate to and enjoy getting to know. It is a story of the ultimate takedown of a popular mean girl, but it is then incredibly encouraging. Readers will love RJ's sarcasm and will laugh out loud at some of the depictions of the afterworld. (Who knew Death Himself would be kind of cute) A book that could have easily become preachy gives just the right amount of redemption. Even though most readers will be dissatisfied with the ending, it is a great addition to any library serving teens."--VOYA
"Schmitt's smart, funny novel will keep readers entertained as they follow R.J. on her redemptive path from 'self-absorbed princess' to someone more capable of kindness, while perhaps contemplating their own actions and choices. R.J.'s sarcastic sense of humor sharply counterbalances touching moments as she learns how to live more generously."
--Publishers Weekly
"Told in RJ's snarky voice, this delightful debut encompasses elements of A Christmas Carol, It's a Wonderful Life, and Gayle Foreman's If I Stay (2009), while still being unique. . . . The message of standing up to opposition -- whether for yourself or for others -- is an important life lesson that readers learn alongside RJ. Her story compellingly demonstrates that significance comes from the quality (not quantity) of one's life."--Booklist
"Where There's a Whisk is a fun-filled tale of a teen cooking competition with heaps of tantalizing food and a side helping of drama. You'll be rooting for Peyton from the get go."

--Casie Bazay, author of Not Our Summer

"Where There's A Whisk has all the heart, tension, and drama of a real reality TV cooking show, with an extra heap of lasting friendship on top. My only complaint is that it didn't come with dessert!"
--Francesca Zappia, author of Eliza and Her Monsters and Now Entering Addamsville
"A small-town girl with big-city dreams, a cut-throat competition where nothing is what it seems, all mixed together with a sweet romance . . . Where There's A Whisk serves up delicious drama that teen readers will devour."
--Lisa Maxwell, author of The Last Magician series
"Absolutely delicious! With a dash of humor, a pinch of romance, and a dollop of self-discovery, Sarah J. Schmitt has perfected the recipe for foodie YA. Where There's a Whisk will leave readers hungry for more from Schmitt!"--Stephanie Kate Strohm, Love la Mode
"Set against the simmering backdrop of a reality TV cooking show and featuring a lovable cast of rivals, Where There's A Whisk is unputdownable. I adored the layers of friendship, hope, and behind-the-scenes drama. This book has all the zesty sweetness of the perfect key lime pie."--Akemi Dawn Bowman, author of Starfish and The Infinity Courts

Author Bio

Sarah Schmitt is a former K-8 school librarian and Youth Service Professional for Teens at a public library who enjoys teaching writing to teens through interactive school visits. She lives near Indianapolis with her husband, two kidlets, and a Houdini-esque pup named Sadie.