Shelf Awareness
Diane Zahler (The Thirteenth Princess) cooks up a scrumptious, gracefully eco-minded middle-grade fantasy of found families and unusual heroes worth cheering.
Barnes & Noble Kids blog
Baking is already a sort of magic, so it’s no wonder the two have been combined with such success in this story of twelve-year-old runaway Bee. . . .This fantasy novel truly has it all: pirates, princesses, evil mages, and even a recipe.
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
A heartwarming middle-grade fantasy adventure that offers several different kinds of magic. Featuring a strong female heroine, an unusual quest, an epic ecological battle — and pastries! You’ll never take trees for granted again.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
The obvious love between the baker and Bee, who was alone and guarded for so long, is moving, and it develops at an authentic pace. Pirates, magical creatures, family mysteries, and a dramatic battle with the mage will all keep readers busy, and the constant undercurrent of baking provides a firm and tasty grounding. . . .audiences will just appreciate a yeasty and enjoyable fantasy.
Imagination Soup
...a wonderful story with a lovely ending.
ForeWord Reviews
Baker’s Magic is a delightful tale sure to entertain young fantasy enthusiasts. . . .Mixing themes of magic, love, friendship, and environmentalism, the story truly has a little something for everyone. It is light-hearted, entertaining, and thoroughly enjoyable.
Booklist Online
...like a good recipe, it all comes together. Standout secondary characters, a creative environmental twist, and just enough intrigue make this a pleasing adventure story for middle-grade readers.
Kids' Book Buzz/San Francisco Book Review
It was so interesting and kept me reading. I especially liked how believable the characters were. . . .This is a well-done, interesting story that I think anyone would enjoy reading, but especially middle school-aged kids.
Kirkus Reviews
2015-11-17
A young orphan will need all the magic she can muster if she is to help her friends, defeat an evil mage, and figure out how to save the kingdom from destruction. Desperately hungry, Bee steals a bun from the local bakery. Astonishingly, instead of punishing her, Master Bouts gives her a warm place to sleep, clean clothes, and a job. But when Bee's moods begin to find their ways into her baked goods, Master Bouts begins to suspect that the young orphan is more than she appears. After the castle requests treats from the bakery, Bee is sent to deliver them. There, she meets Princess Anika and the evil mage, Master Joris. When the two girls discover Joris' plot to marry the princess off, Bee is determined to rescue her. While this joyful, creative adventure is filled with pirates, magic, missing trees, and a cuddly hedgehog, it is more than just a sweet ride. At its core, this is a story of bravery, resilience, and love. And while the premise of emotions magically empowering food is not new, this recipe has enough added ingredients to satisfy. A sweet, magical, environmentally conscious adventure. (Fantasy. 8-11)
