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A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive BakingT. Kingfisher

Middle grade fantasy

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking

by T. Kingfisher

Fourteen-year-old Mona has a modest magical gift that works only with bread, which is useful in her aunt's bakery but hardly seems suited to heroics. After she discovers a dead body and realizes that someone is targeting the city's magicians, animated gingerbread, a temperamental sourdough starter, and quick thinking become essential tools. The danger exposes how badly adults and institutions have failed the young people expected to protect them. Inventive, funny, and sharper than its pastry-filled premise suggests, this middle-grade fantasy suits family reading and anyone who enjoys resourceful heroines, civic courage, and magic with a flour-dusted apron.

Paired for this story

Classic Hot Cocoa + Midnight Porter

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At a glance

Know what you're getting into

Spice0 of 5
Suspense4 of 5
Creepy2 of 5
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No surprises at chapter twelve

Content notes

Murder discovery · Wartime violence · Children in peril · Death

Alcohol-Free Pour

Classic Hot Cocoa

Velvety chocolate suits a little enchantment and an escape from the everyday.

How to mix it

  1. Whisk the cocoa and sweetener into the hot liquid until smooth. Add remaining flavorings, heat until steaming, and pour into a mug. Add any listed topping.
  2. Garnish: As listed.
  3. Glassware: Mug.
21+

Cocktail Pour · 21+

Midnight Porter

For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.

A dark pint of porter is made for a long story and a late hour.

What you'll need

  • 12 oz Porter

Alcohol-shopping links are not shown on children's or young-adult book pages.

How to mix it

  1. Pour into a clean pint glass and serve at the appropriate cool serving temperature.
  2. Garnish: None.
  3. Glassware: Pint glass.

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