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MAKE IT MESSY

MY PERFECTLY IMPERFECT LIFE

Now a world-renowned chef, Samuelsson neatly serves up inspiration and food for thought for the many young people interested...

Based on Yes, Chef (2012), a memoir for adults, this young readers’ version offers insights into the life and food of one of America’s top chefs.

During a tuberculosis epidemic in 1972 in Ethiopia, Samuelsson’s mother walked 75 miles with young Marcus on her back to a hospital in Addis Ababa. She died there, but he and his sister survived and were adopted by a Swedish couple. In clear and straightforward prose, less adorned than his recipes, Samuelsson chronicles growing up in Sweden, going to school, playing soccer, and working his way up the hierarchy in various restaurants on his way to becoming a chef. This is not exactly a linear “pursue your dream” story since Samuelsson originally had wanted to be a professional soccer player but was too small. Soccer went off the table, and food took its place. In adapting the adult memoir for young readers, the authors have adopted the motivational tone of a coach before the big game: “Step up to the challenge; don’t avoid it. Win or lose, take the shot.” But many young people have seen Samuelsson on television’s Chopped and will be eager to learn about the journey that got him there.

Now a world-renowned chef, Samuelsson neatly serves up inspiration and food for thought for the many young people interested in cooking. (Memoir. 12-16)

Pub Date: June 9, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-385-74400-3

Page Count: 224

Publisher: Delacorte

Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2015

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2015

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IS THE END OF THE WORLD NEAR?

FROM CRACKPOT PREDICTIONS TO SCIENTIFIC SCENARIOS

Attractively designed and handsomely illustrated, this informative text introduces teens to many intriguing angles on a...

Will the world end in a bang or a whimper? Unless pre-empted by human-induced disaster or one of many scientifically possible catastrophic scenarios, life on Earth will end a billion years from now in a sizzle.

Predicting the end of the world is an old story, argues the author, presenting evidence in brief surveys of eschatologies from the world's major religions and mythologies of ancient civilizations. Miller also notes how end-of-world scenarios have captured humanity's imagination in their frequent appearances in science-fiction novels and motion pictures. (Disappointingly, the reasons for this ongoing fascination are not explored.) A chapter about imminent predictions for 2012 explains the Mayan prophecy and a theory about a phantom planet called Nibiru crashing into Earth. Another chapter examines pseudoscientific end-of-world theories such as planetary alignment and pole shifts. The primary focus is on scientifically plausible scenarios: self-destruction through nuclear war or continued environmental exploitation; humanity wiped out by a pandemic; an asteroid or comet strike destroying Earth.

Attractively designed and handsomely illustrated, this informative text introduces teens to many intriguing angles on a high-interest topic that should inspire many to further explore the subject.   (chronology, glossary, bibliography, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2011

ISBN: 978-0-7613-7396-4

Page Count: 120

Publisher: Twenty-First Century/Lerner

Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2011

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SCANDALOUS!

50 SHOCKING EVENTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT (SO YOU CAN IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS)

Catnip for scandal junkies, with a bit of historical perspective stirred in.

A gleefully explicit catalogue of the past century’s headline-grabbing bad behavior.

Aimed at readers who don’t need to be told who Brangelina is but may be hazy on “twisted besties” Leopold and Loeb or even Monica Lewinsky, this edutaining survey presents a wide-angle array of murders, sexual follies, controversial trials, race violence, political corruption and general envelope-pushing from the 1906 killing of Stanford White on. Each of the chronologically arranged entries opens with a capsule “Scoop” followed by a slightly fuller account under a “What Went Down” header. Along with a small black-and-white photo and one or two sidebar quotes, the author tacks on subsequent developments, sometimes-perceptive suggestions about “Why We Still Care” and a short roster of similar incidents in recent history. Though she misspells “Symbionese” and repeatedly awards FDR only three Presidential wins, in general Fryd presents reasonably accurate summaries of events and issues while giving all sides of the more muddled conflicts at least a nod. Additional cred is provided by a teen panel of editorial advisors.

Catnip for scandal junkies, with a bit of historical perspective stirred in. (index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2012

ISBN: 978-0-9827322-0-5

Page Count: 224

Publisher: Zest/Orange Avenue

Review Posted Online: Jan. 8, 2012

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2012

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