This Is How I Roll (Wish)

by Debbi Michiko Florence (Author)

This Is How I Roll (Wish)
Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade
Series: Wish

Let the good times roll with this rom-com about sushi rolls, secret crushes, and chasing your dreams!

Susannah Mikami dreams of becoming a famous sushi chef like her dad. And this summer, she plans to learn everything about his traditional kitchen. Only he refuses to teach her, and won't tell her why. Is it because he doesn't want her to embarrass him in front of the documentary crew filming at his restaurant? Or worse, because she's a girl?

Either way, Sana decides he's not the only one who can keep secrets. So when she meets Koji, a cute boy who wants to help her cook up some trouble in the kitchen -- and film online tutorials to show the world her mad skills -- Sana is all in. But sneaking around means lying to her parents, something Sana's never done before. Can she take the heat, or will she get out of the kitchen for good?

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Kirkus

A delightful middle school rom-com that will leave readers hungry.

School Library Journal

Gr 5-7--Susannah "Sana" Mikami wants to learn to cook great Japanese food, but her father--the chef and owner of a popular sushi restaurant--actively discourages her interest. The 12-year-old finds another resource: one "C.A.B." (cute Asian boy) named Koji Yamada, whose mother gives Sana home-style cooking lessons. But food isn't the only draw for Sana--her crush on Koji grows as the pair spend summer afternoons together making how-to videos featuring her adorable animal sushi rolls. Misunderstandings, half-truths, and lies pile up as Sana evades her mother's questions about her new friends and hides her identity as the daughter of a renowned chef from the Yamadas. Written in a clear, straightforward style, the story includes mouth-watering descriptions of Japanese food, with some Japanese words and phrases woven into the text. Sana and Koji's tween romance includes handholding, planning a date, and a first kiss. Sana enjoys a surprising amount of independence and a decided lack of oversight from her otherwise protective and caring parents, but the family's heartfelt commitment to greater honesty in the future creates a satisfying and believable conclusion. VERDICT Young foodies will enjoy meeting a 12-year-old chef determined to master the art of Japanese cooking in this light tween romance.--Jenny Andrus

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly

Following a surprise move from San Francisco to Piper Bay, 12-year-old Susannah "Sana" Mikami is still adjusting to small-town life. She was hopeful that the move would mean that she and her family would have more time to connect; in the city, her successful parents were often too busy for her. But nothing has changed since the move, especially now that her father runs his own sushi restaurant and a production crew is filming a documentary. Sana wants to be a sushi chef like him, but he discourages her efforts after a past kitchen mishap. While longing for her dad's attention, Sana also crushes on Koji Yamada, a local boy who's resentful of Sana's father's perceived fame. Keeping her connection to her father secret, Sana befriends Koji and his mother, who teaches her Japanese cooking. But the arrival of Koji's friend Haley threatens his and Sana's budding relationship, and Sana fears that her lie will push Koji away for good. Florence (Sweet and Sour) knowledgeably renders tween obsession with Japanese kawaii culture via this sweet, low-conflict story line with a genial, appealing cast. Most characters are Japanese American; Haley cues as white. Ages 8-12. Agent: Tricia Lawrence, Erin Murphy Literary. (Jan.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes



Debbi Michiko Florence
Debbi Michiko Florence is the author of Keep It Together, Keiko Carter, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and New England Book Award finalist, Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai, and the Jasmine Toguchi chapter books. A third-generation Japanese American and native Californian, Debbi lives in Connecticut with her husband, rescue dog, and rabbit. Visit her online at debbimichikoflorence.com.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781338785562
Lexile Measure
650
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Scholastic Inc.
Publication date
January 03, 2023
Series
Wish
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV011020 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - Asian American
JUV050000 - Juvenile Fiction | Cooking & Food
JUV039190 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Dating & Relationships
Library of Congress categories
Fathers and daughters
Japanese Americans
Dating (Social customs)
Sushi

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