Gladys Gatsby is a sixth-grade chef-in-training. A bona fide foodie, she loves everything pertaining to food. She reads and writes about food. She watches the food TV station, and she cooks and enjoys consuming delectable delights.

However, Gladys' parents do not understand or support her fascination with all things edible. They eat fast food almost every night of the week. Their idea of cooking is using the microwave to reheat fast food. The fact that they prohibit Gladys from cooking almost kills her. Well, okay, she did almost burn the kitchen down when she used a blowtorch to finish off the top of creme brulee, but... amateur mistake, right?

So, this foodie girl decides to write a letter to the New York Standard asking for a job as a food critic for a school assignment. Perhaps this will prove to the parental units once and for all that she is a serious food enthusiast. But, when an employee from the venerable news institution responds asking for writing samples, Gladys is sure that it is a prank. 

All Four Stars by Tara Dairman, 2014

• Tara Dairman's web site
• Books about food critics