The Cupcake Diaries: Emma on Thin Icing

Emma on Thin Icing is the third title in ‘The Cupcake Diaries’ series. This new story focuses on Emma, whose family is struggling with Mum’s new work hours. Everybody, including Emma’s two older brothers, has to help out. Emma herself juggles increased family responsibilities with friendships, her commitment to the Cupcake Club with its growing business opportunities and her need to earn extra money by dog walking.

Even Emma’s honed organisational skills are tested to the limit when she is invited to become a bridesmaid. Knowing that her family cannot afford the dress, she reschedules her life and takes on even more work. There is little time left for just being a teenager. Eventually school work, paid work and domestic needs bring her to the point where she has to ask for help. In doing so, she finds the true value of friendship and family.

This is a contemporary fiction title suitable for 7- to 9-year-old girls, although the content is perhaps more suited to a slightly older readership. The characters are realistic, the plot lines are believable, chapters are of a comfortably manageable length and the narrative has plenty of pace. It should be enjoyed by any girl who loves weddings, pink and, of course, cupcakes.