The Thing About Leftovers
What’s inside...
Fizzy is a good Southern girl who just wants to be perfect and win the Southern Living cook-off. The being perfect part is hard though, since her parents' divorced and everything in her life has changed. Wary of her too-perfect stepmom and her mom's neat-freak, dismissive boyfriend, she's often angry or upset and feels like a guest in both homes. She tells herself to face facts: She’s a 'leftover' kid from a marriage that her parents want to forget. But she has to keep all of that to herself, because a good Southern girl never yells, or throws fits, or says anything that might hurt other people's feelings—instead she throws her shoulders back, says yes ma'am, and tries to do better. So Fizzy tries her best, but it’s hard to stay quiet when her family keeps getting more complicated. Fortunately, the Southern Living cook-off gives her a welcome distraction, as do her new friends Miyoko and Zach, who have parent issues of their own. With the humor and poignancy of Joan Bauer and Lynda Mullaly Hunt, this story reminds readers that they have a right to a voice, that it's okay to say how you feel, and that some leftovers are absolutely delicious!
Age
10-13
Length
288 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did Fizzy's feelings and experiences with her family's changes relate to the meals she prepared?
What lessons does Fizzy learn about friendship and accepting help from others throughout the story?
Why do you think Fizzy felt the need to prove herself in the cooking contest, and what does this tell us about handling challenges?
How do Fizzy’s relationships with her parents evolve, and what does this say about handling family dynamics?
In what ways can turning a tough situation into something creative, like cooking, be helpful?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about family and changes, mirroring Fizzy's journey. Use the cooking theme to discuss how blending different ingredients can result in something wonderful, similar to navigating through life’s challenges. Highlight the importance of resilience, friendship, and self-acceptance by discussing Fizzy’s interactions with others. Ask your child how they might handle similar situations themselves or how they might help a friend in Fizzy's position.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The protagonist, Fizzy, navigates the challenges of her parents' recent divorce and the complexity of blending families. Throughout, she shows determination and adaptability.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to adapt to changes within their family dynamics, recognizing that they can overcome difficulties and find strength in new circumstances.
Example Lesson: The importance of self-acceptance
Explanation: Fizzy struggles with feelings of being unwanted and unremarkable due to her family situation and middle school dynamics. She learns to appreciate her own value and uniqueness.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the importance of embracing who they are, despite external opinions or changes, fostering a healthy self-esteem.
Example Lesson: Building supportive relationships
Explanation: Fizzy finds solace and support in new friendships and relationships with adults, like her Aunt Liz. These relationships are crucial to her coping and growth.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to seek out and nurture positive relationships with peers and trusted adults, which can be essential sources of support during challenging times.
Example Lesson: Coping with emotions through creative outlets
Explanation: Fizzy uses cooking as a way to express herself and handle her emotions. This creative outlet provides her solace and a sense of accomplishment.
Real-World Application: Encouraging children to explore hobbies and activities can provide them with ways to express their emotions positively and productively.