This book is one of the best books I’ve read in quite some time.  The subject matter, cooking, is a refreshing topic and I believe, totally overlooked but appealing to young adults.  The stars refer to the quality of food and experience given to a restaurant by a newspaper restaurant critic, with four being the best.  Gladys, age 11 and in sixth grade, loves to cook and got her love for food from her aunt who lives in Paris.  She watches the Food Network, reads cook books and is friends with Mr. Eng,  a Chinese grocer, who lets her sample different food.  The spices and herbs in his store play a big flavor difference in turning ordinary food into fine cuisine.  This book is also one of the funniest I’ve ever read because Gladys parents don’t cook.  Their dinners are mainly takeout food from fast food places, some of which are pretty questionable.  When they do attempt cooking, food is burned or nuked beyond recognition and flavor.  Plus foodies know that cooking with sub-par ingredients is a total waste of time and money.  Gladys has a journal in which she writes summaries of meals she’s either created or eaten, including those of her parents.  Her teacher assigns an essay for a contest being held by a New York City newspaper and convinces Gladys to write what she is passionate about.  Gladys’ essay ends up on the food editor’s desk of the newspaper and Gladys is contacted to fill in for the injured food critic.  How Gladys gets herself to NYC is quite an achievement.  With the popularity of television food shows and food stars, as well as Master Chef Junior, this book will resonate with aspiring chefs.  The story line and writing is snappy and funny and moves along quickly, making it a real winner.