In 1976, Ellis struggles with his parents' divorce, but salvation comes in the form of summer vacation. Alas, relaxation is put on hold after his dad announces he needs Ellis' help to bring his latest business enterprise to life: a shop devoted to selling his chocolate-chip confections. The proposed bakery space is dismal and remote, his dad hasn't finalized a recipe, and there are only six weeks to get things up and running. Can the family pull together and pull it off? The author, Amos, is the real-life son of Wally "Famous" Amos, cookie entrepreneur, and this ode to his upbringing is offbeat and enchanting. The humorous narration is breezy and conversational, though it's often punctuated by serious topics: divorce, racism, deep family wounds, and the experience of being a Black household in a predominantly white neighborhood. But there are also exquisite descriptions of musical transcendence, an uplifting community, and a gorgeous father-son relationship that evolves and deepens throughout. A sweet treat with a warm center.

A boy improves his relationship with his father as they prepare to open a cookie store over summer break.Dad has had a lot of ridiculous ideas, but to 11-year-old Ellis, opening a store that only sells chocolate chip cookies-even if they are delicious-seems to be the worst. With his parents recently divorced and his mother visiting her best friend out of town, Ellis dreads spending the summer of 1976 with his father. It only gets worse when they arrive at a run-down storefront. The next six weeks are all about perfecting their recipe, fixing up the shop, and attracting customers-when all he really wants is to play his harmonica and hang out with his best friend. Through Ellis' first-person account, readers encounter several interesting characters on Sunset Boulevard as he explores his new neighborhood. One surprise is the existence of a mysterious paternal uncle that neither of his parents ever told him about, a discovery that sets Ellis on a course to reunite his family. Ellis learns not only the value of clear communication, but the importance of community as well. Readers will immediately love Ellis and his family as they learn to reconnect in this novel that is full of heart and humor. The easygoing pace and descriptive narration make it a suitable choice for reading aloud. Ellis and his family are Black. Final art not seen.A wholesome story that bridges generations. (author's note, recipe, playlist) (Historical fiction. 8-12)