Gigi, short for Galileo Galilei, has a top notch recipe for a successful school year.  After her sister wins the top prize of a million dollars in a cooking contest, she uproots the family and moves to a posh New York neighborhood.  This steamy new school year will be garnished with noteworthy changes for Gigi.  First would be her new name, Leia; then a chic haircut and trendy wardrobe.  Her sister is quite astonished with the refined and improved Gigi.  She has grown accustomed to the reliable, straight-A, focused student who eats lunch in the library and studies in her room most evenings.  Now G – I mean Leia has a delectable young crush, a pressing social calendar, and loyal friends.  In the midst of her exciting year, she unassumingly dredges up a secret about her missing mother that sends Gigi on a harrowing adventure to the trailer parks of South Carolina with her adversary, now deemed savior, by her side.  With a dash of laughter, a sprinkle of courage, and a pinch of determination, Gigi might just live up to the high expectations of her name, and finish her Truth Poem in the process.

Gigi is a quirky, entertaining young narrator.  Living in the age of healthy, nutritious school lunches, Gigi shows up with her EZ Cheeze Crunch sandwich on white bread, while the boys drool unabashedly, hoping for a crumb or scrap.  Intermittently scattered throughout the book, Gigi includes her mama’s recipes; even her favorite – My Famous Twinkie Pie.  Readers will enjoy her smart quips when dealing with mean girls and her refreshing honesty to “Saying It Like It Is”.  This story has lots of potential as a book club choice for mothers and daughters.  The little surprises and plot twists will leave readers wanting to discuss the details over homemade treats.