Midsummer's Mayhem

Eleven-year-old Mimi is the youngest child in a family full of high-achievers. Determined to prove herself, she enters a baking contest at a newly opened bakery in town, but when strange things begin happening to those around her (such as her food critic dad losing his sense of taste), Mimi must pair her culinary skills with her detective skills to get to the bottom of the magical mystery. 

If I had to pick one word to describe this book, it’d be: sweet. Plus, this adorable book is also a retelling of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. And if you know… show more.

I just had to include this book in the list. Shakespeare reimagined for middle-grade and with Indian American cultural elements and cookies? Yes, please with sprinkles on top! It’s got a fun girl lead you to want to spend time with, along with magic and baking and alternate worlds. All the right ingredients for an entertaining and engaging adventure. I loved the entire sampling! Now, if I could only find my way to that bakery….

Midsummer Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca is a favorite for my whole family. Inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this tale incorporates the delectable combination of food and magic. The main character, Mimi, is part of a highly-relatable Indian-American family, and her love of baking is deliciously clear on every page and in every recipe. The plot points that relate to Shakespeare’s classic work are both clear and clever. This story will leave you hungry for more from Rajani LaRocca!

This story of a girl whose goal to win a baking competition is derailed by some mischievous fairies is a delightful blend of humor, adventure, and magical shenanigans. The Shakespeare fans out there will recognize the impish fairies inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and what I particularly enjoy about this book is how the real-world setting makes the fantastical elements feel believable—and makes the magical mischief all the more fun!

This delightful contemporary + magical retelling of A Midsummer Night's Dream will captivate young readers. It features a realistic large family dynamic, whimsical town, baking magic, and a whole bunch of delightful chaos that gets sorted out in heartwarming fashion at the end. Fans of The Great British Baking Show might especially be drawn to this fun, engaging tale.