Amelie Day loves to bake: cupcakes, biscuits, bread, tarts and muffins – flour power! So she’s thrilled when she makes it through to the quarter-finals of a national competition, ‘Best Teen Baker of the Year’. There’s just one small problem. Amelie has Cystic Fibrosis, which means endless daily rounds of physio and pills, and the threat of being put on the lung transplant waiting list. But Amelie doesn’t want to be defined by her illness, and is determined to prove that she has what it takes to win the competition, even when her over-protective mother forbids her from taking part…
The Baking Life of Amelie Day is a wonderful novel for 9-12-year-olds combining the mouth-watering British baking obsession with a fabulously determined and honest young heroine. Curious Fox published in September 2014 to coincide with the hotly anticipated fifth series of The Great British Bake Off on BBC One.
"I think this book is inspirational, brilliantly written and covers important topics" Big Book Little Book Blog
"An utterly charming middle grade book … so sweet and just that little bit heart-breaking. … it really packed in an emotional punch. … I loved The Baking Life of Amelie Day. I thought it was sweet and fun and made my mouth water at the same time as shining a bit of light on cystic fibrosis in a way that I might not have otherwise come across."" Fluttering Butterflies Blog
"A really awesome story!" Once Upon A Bookcase Blog
"I would recommend it to all my friends because everyone would enjoy it – 10/10" Sophie, Askew Roads Chatterbooks Group
"I wasn't expecting to love this book as much as I did. In fact, I was completely bowled over by it. Where do I start with the abundance of praise I have for it? … A beautiful blend of humour and sadness. A book that will have you reaching for your spatula before you know it." Vivian da Costa, Serendipity Reviews Blog
"Mel is a great character that girls will relate to: determined, independent but also realistic. My eleven year old daughter and I were rooting for her throughout. 5/6" Jan Deykin, Families Online
"Yet another wonderful book from Vanessa Curtis … a fantastic book, brimming with emotion and heart." Wondrous Reads Amazon
"Amelie is a strong, positive, inspiring character and in addition to the baking and health issues, the book covers romance, trust and independence. There are tempting recipes dotted throughout the story and the presentation of cystic fibrosis is informative and moving without being over-indulgent." Catherine Larner, Writer and Editor
“I think you got the details of Cystic Fibrosis just right....the close relationship with parents, the frustrations, the tiny little details. I almost found it hard to read at times because it brought so much back to me. I really think it's a little gem and I want to see what happens next!” Victoria Tremlett, Cystic Fibrosis sufferer
"Amelie has no fears about the quality of her baking; she loves to bake and knows that her cakes are extra-specially good. But Amelie has Cystic Fibrosis. Will she able to manage the pressure of the competition? Fuelled by ‘flour-power’ Amelie is determined to show the world what she can do. Ever her anxious mother will not be able to stop her. But when Amelie hears some dreadful news it looks as if all her hopes will be dashed. Amelie’s courage is inspirational." Julia Eccleshare, September 2014 Book of the Month on LoveReading4Kids
"This book not only makes you cry it'll make you want to eat cake! ... What I learnt from Amelie is to pursue your dream with all your heart ... Give life all you've got! & read this book ^o^ " Nayu's Reading Corner Blog
"I really liked Amelie's voice, she engages with the reader, is funny, determined and sincere. You know about Amelie's cystic fibrosis from the book blurb but Amelie doesn't go into details until a few chapters in. It's part of the story but not the story, I thought Vanessa Curtis balanced this really well. Charming, sweet and honest, I recommend The Baking Life of Amelie Day, ideally with cupcakes and tea." Luna's Little Library Blog
"I found myself constantly drooling. This book should come with at least one cupcake, to make reading it easier. This is the first book I've read by Vanessa Curtis but I am positive it won't be the last. A beautiful blend of humour and sadness. A book that will have you reaching for your spatula before you know it." Serendipity Reviews Blog
"I loved this book but of all things, I love Amelie Day!!" Tyler Uzor, Year 4, Baring Primary School - LoveReading4Kids
"The Baking Life of Amelie Day is an inspiring and thought-provoking tale of how a girl with Cystic Fibrosis copes with life and her condition through a love of baking." Sidney Greenslade, age 10 - LoveReading4Kids
"I would highly recommend it for people who like dramatic stories, not just cooking fans. 10/10!" Katie Johnson, age 10 - LoveReading4Kids
"The story is an accurate portrayal of what life with Cystic Fibrosis is like: a lot of medicines, dietary controls, daily physio and a sense of living life on the edge, and, more than this, The Baking Life of Amelie Day is a brilliantly written, page-turning, life-affirming story." http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk