What do you get when you take some scrumptious pie recipes, stir in a mix-up of a mystery involving an overweight cat and a legacy, then add a sly satirical nod to the Newbery Medal? This irresistible confection.In 1955, 10-year-old Alice's beloved Aunt Polly, the peerless "Pie Queen of Ipswitch," who has always given away the extraordinary products of her oven simply because it makes her happy, dies. She bequeaths her incomparable piecrust recipe to Lardo, her cator does she?and leaves Lardo to Alice. Thus the stage is set for a rich, layered and funny tale about friendship, family relationships and doing what's right. The characters are wonderfully drawn. While doing her best to carry on Aunt Polly's legacy, trying to figure out how to wrest the secret from the cat, dealing with a nefarious woman poking around town and learning about the renowned "Blueberry Medal," which everyone in town is trying to win, Alice draws closer to her mom, a resolution Aunt Polly would have cherished. Alice and her family eventually discover the solution to the mystery in a plot twist that is both comical and plausible. An epilogue, set in 1995, is deeply poignant and gratifying. In addition to the beautifully wrought story, readers will savor and want to attempt the 14 recipes, each of which precedes a chapter.Warm, delicious and filling. (recipes, pie credits)(Historical fiction. 9-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

The story opens with 10-year-old Alice at the deathbed of her beloved aunt Polly, a wise but humble woman and a talented baker, known for giving away wonderful pies to all who visited her shop. How wonderful? Polly had won the Blueberry Medal. the most coveted award in the field of pie baking. an unprecedented 13 times. After Polly's death, Alice inherits her aunt's grumpy, obese cat. When he disappears and Polly's shop is ransacked, Alice and her dependable pal Charlie attempt to solve the mystery. Set in 1955 and drawn in rather broad strokes, the story captures the spirit of a simpler, more innocent time. Weeks dramatizes the moral with unusual directness, showing that happiness arises from using one's talents well. Even for readers who don't catch the Blueberry/Newbery parallel, this enjoyable chapter book is a real charmer with delicious-looking pie recipes opening every chapter!--Phelan, Caroly. Copyright 2010 Booklist

Alice's beloved Aunt Polly dies suddenly and her famous pie crust recipe is willed to her cat, Lardo. Thus begins a charming story of family, cooking (recipes included), and community. A small mystery emerges in the form of a green Chevrolet that gives Alice and her friend, Charlie, a chance to do some detective work. The ensuing pie secret brings unexpected results with everyone in town making pies. A bonus is Alice's original songs. Rudd does a wonderful job singing the songs and interpreting the characters. This is a quiet, sweet, fun story with a fine performance-be prepared to smile a bit. Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions). (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

When Polly, the beloved Pie Queen of Ipswitch, dies, leaving a will that inexplicably bequeaths her secret piecrust recipe to her cat, it's up to her young niece, Alice, and her best friend, Charlie, to locate the missing recipe and help the town recover from the loss of Polly. This charming tale translates well to audio, with its lighthearted mystery and quirky cast of smalltown characters. Narrator Kate Rudd delivers a well-paced, entertaining performance and provides all the book's characters with unique voices. However, Rudd shines brightest when depicting the emotional growth of Alice's mother, who is initially bitter and resentful about the attention Polly received for her pies, but grows to learn that her daughter is a priceless treasure who should be appreciated and loved. Ages 9-12. A Scholastic hardcover. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Alice's beloved Aunt Polly dies, leaving her award-winning pie crust recipe to her cat, Lardo. When Lardo, a pie, and a key disappear, Alice decides to investigate. Her active imagination propels this small-town 1955-set mystery, resulting in an appreciation for family and friends. A slew of recipes calling for premade crusts--not one for the hyped pie dough--are included. (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.