Durand, Hallie.
DESSERT FIRST
New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2009
IL 3-6, RL 5.1
ISBN 1416963855

(2 booktalks)

Meet third grader Dessert Schneider.  Well, her parents own a restaurant so it isn't too weird that they named her Dessert.  But she surely lives up to her name.  She loves desserts.  When she finds her mother's new chocolate dessert in the refrigerator at the restaurant, she doesn't think anyone would notice if she just took a taste -- or a bite -- or ate just one -- or ate all of them!!  Oh no.  What is she going to do now?

Booktalk #2

Dessert Schneider is a spunky third grader with a serious sweet tooth. Chocolate fondue, caramels, macaroons, cakes- she loves them all!  After listening to the advice of her well intentioned teacher, Dessert wants to march to the beat of her own drum and let her true personality shine through. First, Dessert tries to convince her parents to let her eat her dessert before she eats her dinner. As you can imagine, this does not go over well with Mom and Dad. But Dessert’s persistence and creative arguments get her some interesting results. Next, Dessert finds herself in a bowlful of trouble when she is instructed by her mother to stay away from the delectable Double-Decker Chocolate Bars in the refrigerator. How can she possibly leave them alone when the bars are her absolutely favorite dessert in the whole world? So what if her mother needs them for a special event! Will Dessert give in to this tasty temptation? Find out how her decision and the consequences of her actions leave Dessert a little bit older and wiser, but still a very sweet girl who will keep you smiling.  (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Awards, 2011-2012)