Stay Sweet
on Goodreads (5,934)
What’s inside...
A summer read about first love, feminism, and ice cream. Summer in Sand Lake isn’t complete without a trip to Meade Creamery—the local ice cream stand founded in 1944 by Molly Meade who started making ice cream to cheer up her lovesick girlfriends while all the boys were away at war. Since then, the stand has been owned and managed exclusively by local girls, who inevitably become the best of friends. Seventeen-year-old Amelia and her best friend Cate have worked at the stand every summer for the past three years, and Amelia is 'Head Girl' at the stand this summer. When Molly passes away before Amelia even has her first day in charge, Amelia isn’t sure that the stand can go on. That is, until Molly’s grandnephew Grady arrives and asks Amelia to stay on to help continue the business…but Grady’s got some changes in mind...
Age
13-14
Length
359 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Amelia
Cate
Grady Meade
Discussion points
How did Amelia's experiences at the ice cream stand teach her about responsibility and leadership?
What challenges did she face, and how did she overcome them?
How do the relationships in the book show the importance of friendship and support?
What did you learn about handling unexpected situations from Amelia's story?
If you were in Amelia's shoes, how would you have handled the situation differently?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate to Amelia's character by asking about times they've had to take on unexpected responsibilities. Discuss the significance of teamwork and support in achieving goals, mirroring the relationships in the book. Highlight Amelia's growth throughout the story to inspire your child to embrace challenges as opportunities for personal development.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of friendship and collaboration
Explanation: In 'Stay Sweet,' the protagonist learns to rely on her friends to overcome challenges at the local ice cream stand, Meade Creamery.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value working together with their peers to solve problems or complete projects at school or in their community.
Example Lesson: Leadership and responsibility
Explanation: The protagonist steps up to manage Meade Creamery after the original owner's passing, navigating the hurdles of leadership.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of taking responsibility in various situations, whether in family matters, school team projects, or other extracurricular activities.
Example Lesson: Perseverance in the face of adversity
Explanation: Despite facing numerous obstacles, the protagonist continues to strive to keep the ice cream stand running, demonstrating tenacity.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of persisting through their difficulties, whether it’s finishing a challenging homework assignment or improving in a sport or instrument.
Example Lesson: Embracing change and growth
Explanation: Throughout the book, the protagonist must adapt to changes and make decisions that will impact the future of the creamery.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that change is a part of life, encouraging them to adapt positively to changes such as moving to a new school or welcoming a new family member.