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PITCH PARTNERS by Heather Alexander

PITCH PARTNERS

From the Eat Bugs series, volume 2

by Heather Alexander with Laura D'Asaro & Rose Wang ; illustrated by Vanessa Flores

Pub Date: Sept. 21st, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-09619-2
Publisher: Penguin Workshop

Growing pains and trust issues afflict two middle school entrepreneurs in this sequel to Project Startup (2021).

Part friendship story, part biofiction, and part marketing tool, this entry is closely modeled on the experiences of the co-authors—who, just like the protagonists Jaye Wu and Hallie Amberose, are growing an actual business selling chips made from crickets (even in the illustrations the sixth graders look remarkably like grown-up versions of D’Asaro and Wang). Hallie worries that her more detail-oriented partner is on the verge of abandoning her and returning to her popular crowd, a conflict that is easily resolved by mutual apologies and Jaye’s insistence that there’s nothing wrong with having more than one circle of friends. This storyline is woven into talking up the benefits of an entotarian diet and practical tips for business planning and promotion—creating an effective pitch to present at competitions, setting up a supply chain, making deals, coping with accidents and reversals, and advertising—all while staying true to the ideal of creating a sustainable, eco-friendly enterprise. The spirit of entrepreneurship gets further boosts from a list of real food companies founded by women and Alexander’s interview with her co-authors at the end. The two protagonists are Chinese American and White.

Well stocked with inspiration and savvy advice for budding business owners.

(recipe, photos) (Fiction. 8-12)