I think this is probably a great children's book, but I was reading for a committee in 2021 and had to choose which books to spend my time on. This was not for list but good for reader's advisory.

one of the cutest MG stories ever! I loved the found family in this one and the multi generational story. the characters are ones i fell in love with instantly.

Thank you Netgalley and Mac Kids Books for the gifted book!

This book is about identity, community, family, and the power of food in culture. Set in Barcelona, you get a taste of not just the Spanish culture but the Filipino culture in Barcelona as well. Plus the language of the book is interlaced with Spanish and Tagalong phrases so you feel authentically planted in the story with Alba the main character. (there is a glossary at the end for all these words/phrases). This one will have you wanting to stuff your face with bread and you consider the roles of family and community in your life.

Content Warning: domestic abuse

All You Knead Is Love is a heartwarming middle grade novel about identity, family, community, and of course, food. Set in the magical city of Barcelona, this new release is perfect for fans of middle grade books set in Europe! It also features a lovable grandmother, realistically depicted friendships, and a sweet inter-generational friendship. If you enjoy middle grade books about food, come prepared, this one will have you salivating throughout.

I swear the bread lover in me was so excited to pick up this book and it didn't disappoint. It's such a beautiful novel about love, family, acceptance, and self-discovery. Heart-wrenching in so many different ways, All You Knead Is Love is the middle grade story I didn't realize I needed4.5 Stars. CW: emotional abuse, discussion of physical abuse, child abuse.

All You Knead Is Love focuses on Alba who is sent to Barcelona to live with her grandmother as her mother attempts to leave her abusive father. While her mother is trying to navigate leaving this abusive relationship, she's cold and standoffish towards Alba which leads to emotional abuse. As a result, Alba doesn't feel as though anyone wants her and she feels extremely awkward going to stay with a grandmother she doesn't know that well. However, as time passes Alba realizes that she is beginning to enjoy being in Barcelona. She finds solace and a sense of routine in the local bakery with her mother's childhood best friend. It's through these routines that she learns more about her mother and life that she once lived before she met her father. There are so many things at play in the this novel in regard to family dynamics. When her mother makes it to Barcelona, Alba has a difficult time reconciling with who her mother was while they were in America and the mother she wants to be while they are in Spain. And quite frankly, I don't blame her. In order to find love within herself, Alba had to rely heavily on her Abeula Lola and family friends. She not only had to deal with a mother that was emotionally absent, but also a father that was both physically and emotionally abusive. Spain and her abeula became her safe space and it was difficult to allow her mother into that space. Guerrero did such a wonderful job handling such touch dynamics in a delicate, but realistic manner that is accessible to middle grade readers. The relationship that develops between Alba and Abeula Lola was absolutely beautiful. There was clearly a need for strong parental support and Abeula Lola was able to fill that hole. It didn't hurt that she also had so much support from community members.

There are a lot of various elements of representation that I also enjoyed. Alba is a Spanish Filipino American main character. There is discussion of gender identity. And this book is interlaced with Spanish and Tagalog phrases that add such a great element to the reading experience. There is a glossary for all of the terms for readers who are interested in knowing what they mean. This wasn't necessarily a fast paced read because of the heavy content, but it's extremely rewarding to see Alba blossom into such a confident person. She was hesitant and shy at first and ends up becoming this vocal individual that is determined to save the bakery from closure. Even with her mother coming back into the picture, Alba has this wonderful found family. Overall, I thought that this was a powerful and wonderful read and I can't wait to check out Guerrero's other book.

Tanya Guerrero has written a multi-layered book that breaks your heart and gives you joy at the same time. Imagine being put on an airplane headed for Spain to a grandmother that you barely know. You don't understand why you are being sent away, but don't exactly feel wanted. That is how we first meet 12 year old Alba in this powerful coming-of-age novel. Alba is used to running away from the constant fighting in her NY home, running away from not being the girly girl that her father wants. She still has the urge to run, but in Barcelona she starts having relationships with the people around her and finds solace in a bakery owned by her mother's estranged best friend. She begins to learn more about her mother while learning more about herself and a budding love of baking. She finds a home and a community in Spain, but can that continue when her mother reappears? All You Knead is Love is a wonderful story of discovering your passions, opening up to a community, and second chances at happiness.

This was the most adorable middle grade novel I've ever read. Filled with aching sadness, lovely recipes and a nostalgic softness, ALL YOU KNEAD IS LOVE, is a wonderful, heartwarming story.

I enjoyed Guerrero's debut title, How to Make Friends with the Sea, so grabbed this one and was not disappointed. Alba is a loveable, relatable character I think kids will gravitate towards - even those who don't come from abusive situations or understand family separation in the same way that Alba experiences it in the story. Plus, who can resist a good punny title?

A perfect recommendation for fans of Tae Keller, Erin Entrada Kelly, and Kate DiCamillo.

All You Knead is Love follows 12 year-old Alba, who is sent to stay with her estranged grandmother in Barcelona while her mother struggles to leave Alba's abusive father. Alba's not happy being sent thousands of miles away, but she's surprised to find herself falling in love with Barcelona. ⁣
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There, she forms a bond with her grandmother, makes new friends, discovers her Spanish & Filipino heritage, and explores a new passion: bread making. But when her beloved local bakery faces the threat of closing, Alba becomes determined to save this new safe space where she finally belongs. ⁣
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I will always have a soft spot for mixed-race characters, especially those who are Filipino! My favorite parts of this MG novel were Alba reconnecting with her grandmother and discovering both her Filipino and Spanish heritage. I also loved learning more about the Filipino community in Spain!⁣
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Please be aware that this book does deal with domestic violence, and practice self-care while reading. While Alba's dad is not a central on-page character, there are several flashbacks describing his abuse towards Alba's mother and her resulting injuries. If you're sharing this book with a child, I strongly recommend reading it alongside them or offering support to talk about and process the content. Feel free to DM me if you have more specific questions about the content! ⁣
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All You Knead is Love is a sweet, heartwarming MG novel that doesn't shy away from difficult subjects. It's about friendship, family (birth & found), identity, healing, and of course, bread.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌗

Book TW: child abuse, IPV, sexism, emotional abuse

All You Knead is Love is a middle grade book with a TON of heart. I loved how thoughtfully the author portrayed a lot of really hard topics in a way that doesn’t coddle the reader, particularly because many children may go through similar situations to Alba and her mother. Watching them find love and healing while still trying to leave behind an abusive past is something that I think can be really cathartic, but the book also does a good job of balancing that with the long lasting effects that abuse can leave on kids and adults. However, at its core, this is a hopeful book that just covers real life hurts. It’s all about Alba growing into her own and finding a true meaning of love and family. It realistically takes time, but I was rooting for her the whole way. The addition of both Spanish and Filipino culture made the story even richer, as Alba tries to connect with a part of herself that’s never been allowed to show. This book is full of sunflowers and freshly baked bread and awkward teen serenades of David Bowie songs. This book was really a joy to read. The only thing I wished was a bit more of was more relationship building moments with Abuela Lola and Alba in the beginning of the book like Toni had, because it would have helped establish Alba’s safety with her for the stuff that happens later on. OH and I really wanted some of the recipes... However, those are very nitpicky notes and overall I adored the read and think it’s an absolutely lovely middle grade. Be warned though, you may be VERY hungry for bread after reading this book!

What a lovely middle-grade novel! Twelve-year-old Alba moves to Barcelona to live with her grandmother and heal from family trauma while learning how to bake bread at a family friend's bakery. The Barcelona setting is brought so vivid to life and Alba's journey to healing is just beautiful.

I am left with an incredible urge to start a loaf of.sourdough after devouring this tasty love! My heart broke for Alba--yet watching her build a new life in a new place was the feel good journey I needed. My students will love this one!

All You Knead is Love by Tanya Guerrero is absolutely beautiful and fantastic. I cannot wait to include this book in my teacher's classrooms and use it with students. I have already talked to them about putting this as a read aloud or into book clubs. So many students can relate to the abuse depicted so artfully in the book and I love the tie to baking and learning about others. I adore that the main character is questioned about her gender and just owns who she is.

It’s such a good book. I love that it offers a glimpse into acceptance in a variety of areas from self expression, to love from a parent, to self love and so much more!

Tanya Guerrero outdid herself with this beyond adorable middle-grade work of fiction! From the get-go, I was invested in Alba's story. Her story is funny, heartfelt, raw, and real. I love the descriptions of all the food, especially the pastries inspired by Spanish and Filipino flavors! How I wish I could hug Alba and tell her life is for living and she's living it well.

Amazing story on resilience, identity, and family. Thank you, NetGalley and FSG Young Readers, for the advanced copy!

CW: domestic abuse, shaming of gender nonconformity

All You Knead is Love is a beautiful story of three generations of women healing from the trauma of domestic abuse. I appreciated that rather than focusing on the abuse itself, the book explores the beginning of their healing process as Alba is sent away to live with her estranged grandmother in Barcelona while her mother works to get out of her abusive marriage. The treatment of this topic is honest and sensitive, honoring the anger Alba feels towards her mom while still acknowledging that her mother is also a victim and that the process of leaving an abusive partner is incredibly difficult. The focus on baking adds some levity to this difficult topic, with delicious descriptions of food throughout.

This is a very fun little middle grade book. I love the conceit - baking! - and the story is engaging and fun. This would make a great read aloud!

When Alba was put on a plane and sent to Barcelona to live with her grandmother for a while, she was not happy. New York City was her home. Even though there were problems at home, that was no reason for her mother to send her to the other side of the world. She hadn’t even seen her grandmother since she was about 3.

Alba felt like her mother didn’t love her any more.

When the flight finally landed in Spain, Alba found her grandmother and they headed back to her grandmother’s apartment, over the Chinese restaurant that she owned. All alone in a strange bedroom in a strange country, Alba is overcome with sadness and anxiety and has to run.

She goes outside, even though it’s the middle of the night, and runs through the streets until she can’t run anymore. Sitting in an alley by a dumpster, crying, Alba isn’t sure what to do next. Then a man comes out from the building and sits with her for a minute, letting her cry. Then he heads back inside. Alba thinks he’s left her alone, but then he comes back out and hands her a sandwich on delicious bread. Alba tries the sandwich and turns to thank the man, but he’s gone again.

After eating, she feels better and heads back the way she came. Despite it being dark, she is able to find her way back to her grandmother’s apartment. But when she goes back in, her grandmother isn’t very happy with her for disappearing like that. They talk over tea and come to an understanding, and Alba starts to feel a little more comfortable.

The net day, her grandmother sends her to the bakery to buy bread. She said the baker Toni knows eactly what she wants. As soon as Alba finds the bakery, she realizes that Toni is the man who gave her the sandwich overnight. They meet for real, and Alba is shocked to find out that Toni was a close friend of her mother’s when she was young. He says they were like brother and sister. Alba can’t even imagine that now, as the mother she knows is uptight and quiet, trying too hard to do everything just as her abusive husband wants.

Toni invites Alba to the back of the store, where he bakes his breads. As she goes back there, she is overwhelmed by smells and sights. Toni shows off his sourdough starters and experiments with wild yeasts, and Alba finds herself just wanting to know more. She’d never felt like that before, like there was something she so wanted to be a part of, at least not since her mother introduced her to the music of David Bowie.

As the days go by, Alba finds herself helping out in Toni’s bakery and making friends. She starts to relax, leaving the stress of New York and of her parents’ marriage behind her. She tries more delicious foods and gets to go shopping in colorful markets. Her tension finally starts to melt away. Alba is finally feeling at home in Spain.

And then her mother shows up. With fresh bruises on her face and a stunned expression, Alba’s mother says that she finally left Alba’s father. Alba is happy that she finally left, but she’s not sure how to feel. She’s angry at everything that happened and worried that her new life might be in jeopardy now that her mother is in Barcelona also.

Will Alba be able to continue her journey of self-discovery in Barcelona? Can she find it in herself to forgive her mother and build a better relationship with her? Or will she just keep running away until there’s no where left to run to?

All You Knead Is Love is a powerful story of middle grade fiction that doesn’t shy away from difficult questions. From the questions of Alba wanting to keep her hair short to difficult questions around physical and emotional domestic abuse, Tonya Guerrero’s story is about pain and loss, grief and forgiveness, second chances and new hope.

I was so humbled to get to read this book. All You Knead Is Love is charming and fun, with the colors and energy of Spain coming through. But it’s also a moving story of a young girl who has been faced with too much for her to handle and finding healing through baking and friendships. I would save this one for older middle grade readers or ones who are mature enough to deal with the darker themes, but it’s also just a great story that can help kids find their voice or their passion in times of struggle. A truly amazing book!

Egalleys for All I Knead Is Love were provided by Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group through NetGalley, with many thanks.

This is a great middle grade book centered around food and family. Readers who enjoy books with food references will be over the moon. That it takes place in a country other than the US is also a plus. I appreciated that this story addresses a family dealing with abuse. This is something way too many children have experienced within their homes, but it doesn't get shown in books as much as one would expect.

When sent away to live with an estranged relative in Barcelona, Alba takes it as a sign that her mother has sided with her father—an abusive man who does not approve of Alba's independent streak. Expecting more rejection, Alba is surprised to be welcomed by a loving grandmother and the community her mother left behind long ago. She soon finds her place at the local bakery, but Alba's not the only one ready for a fresh start.

Reasons to read All You Knead is Love:
~the flight risk girl
~tourist towns
~stage makeup
~artisan bread
~lucky band t-shirts

All You Knead is Love sweeps you off to Spain in an all-senses experience, complete with a pop-hits soundtrack. It will appeal to tweens who are ready for more complex characters, a taste of romance, and a few new recipes to try out in their own kitchen.

Please note, this book includes some heavy topics and scenes that allude to physical abuse and emotional neglect that may be triggering to sensitive readers or those from similarly unsafe living situations. There is also mild language, including the word "penis" in regards to a rather famous phallic-shaped tourist attraction.