THE $150,000 RUGELACH

Jack Fineman and Jillian Mermelstein love to bake.

Jack dreams of becoming a world-famous pastry chef, while Jillian clings to happy memories of baking with her late mother. When Jillian, the new girl at Sieberling School, makes the most delicious chocolate rugelach for their sixth grade winter party, Jack knows he has serious competition. How will he ever win local baking company CEO Phineas Farnsworth III’s Bakerstown Bonanza when he turns 18 with Jillian as his rival? When Jillian is paired with Jack and his best friend, Chad, for a class project, she is at first reluctant. However, they decide to try baking with insects, and it soon becomes clear that Jillian and Jack make a great team—with Chad as their cheerleader. When Farnsworth announces that this year’s contest will focus on child contestants, the two young bakers decide to enter for very different reasons: Jack is looking for fame, while Jillian only wants the prize money to help her family. When they are selected to represent their school, they must again work together—especially when they discover Farnsworth is not what he seems. This sweet story is a delightful, quick read with a wonderfully charming cast of characters. The delicious descriptions of baked goods are sure to make readers’ mouths water; fortunately, three recipes are included. Main characters are White and Jewish.

A refreshing and uplifting book filled with friendship, heartache, and a generous sprinkling of love.