Book Review of Dodging Cupcakes
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The Children’s Book Review
Written by Laura Pashley
Ages 8-12 | 277 Pages
Publisher: STEMpire Press (2024) | ISBN: 9798218961749
What to Expect: Grief, friendship, creativity, small-town life, problem-solving, and STEM.
Mindy doesn’t feel like she fits in at her new school in Oglesby, Illinois. Rustic, worn out and housed in an abandoned motel, Korn Wotel is a far cry from the sleek Chicago school she’s left behind, and with her unique ability to say the wrong thing at the wrong time, Mindy gets off to a sticky start on her very first day. The highlight of the year is the Fall Festival, and Mindy is determined to set her reputation straight by creating an awesome games booth—the problem is that her partner is equally determined to sell cupcakes.
Meanwhile, her dad can’t seem to stop working long enough to do anything with her, and her grandmother’s absence from their new home feels like a gaping hole in her life. All in all, Mindy is not at all sure if creativity and determination will be enough to help her survive her new life in Oglesby.
In this classic middle-grade school novel, readers will meet a heroine who is equal parts insecure teen and STEM genius—a compelling combination that makes Mindy instantly likable. Throughout the story, readers will see her overcome her anxieties about communication and assumptions about other people to grow into a resilient character who better understands what it means to be part of a community.
Alongside the story of Mindy’s search for acceptance, the novel paints a realistic picture of a depressed mid-Western rural town desperately working towards better times. From the makeshift parking lot playground and boarded-up historic buildings to how everyone knows everyone else, the depiction of Oglesby will be familiar to thousands of readers across the US—making the hope-filled ending incredibly satisfying.
Dodging Cupcakes is an enjoyable, heartwarming, inspiring middle grade novel, perfect for feel-good Fall reading.
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About the Author
Laura Pashley wears many hats—she’s a writer, an artist, and an advocate for empowering young minds. As a mother of three, she’s no stranger to life’s challenges, having moved across the country 12 times. These experiences opened her eyes to the struggles of fitting in and finding one’s place.
Inspired by her work mentoring young students through FIRST Robotics—an exciting program that promotes STEM education by building and competing with robots—Laura noticed girls in her community lacked the opportunity and confidence to learn basic tools. She decided to change that narrative in her recently published book, Dodging Cupcakes.
Dodging Cupcakes is more than just pages—it celebrates creativity, curiosity, and courage. Laura wants girls of all ages to know that they can achieve anything they set their minds to—whether it’s building a robot, fixing a bike, or inventing a carnival game. In Dodging Cupcakes, Laura encourages young girls to embrace their potential and explore the world with confidence and determination.
For more information, visit https://laurapashley.com/.
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