A couple things here and there kept me from fully falling in love with this one, I did enjoy it though and I could see it being a favorite for young girls who aren’t quite ready yet for YA but want to dip their toe into things like crushes and strained friendships.

I spent the novel wishing Annie’s crush was more worthy of crushing on. There is certainly some realism in not really looking beyond appearance especially at thirteen years old but I just really wanted a deeper reason for Annie to be interested in this boy, particularly when she made decisions about her grandmother’s shop, compromising her own sensibilities in large part to impress him.

While I loved that Annie is so proactive about trying to save the tea shop, it seemed like a stretch that an adult would take out a bank loan and make massive changes to their business on the advice of two young teenagers (though maybe that in part explains why the grandmother’s shop is in trouble). Things may have been a little easier to swallow had Annie’s parents been more involved alongside Annie in the grandmother’s struggles and actually I wanted more of Annie’s family in the story, a few more conversations with her parents and interactions with her siblings would have been really welcome.

Aside from the cute illustrations and tea advertisements sprinkled throughout, the other super charming aspect of this book is the sense of place whether describing the flowers in Madison, Wisconsin or all the details inside the tea shop and the rapport with the customers, it was just so picturesque, it makes you wish you could stop in for a visit. ( )

I think the greatest virtue of this book, honestly, is as “organizing events for beginners: a middle school manual.” The girls launch into a meticulously planned, fairly believable teashop-saving campaign.... My kids have a tremendous amount of Save the World energy, but don't always know how to direct it. I'd love to be able to give them more books like this. (Full review at Parenthetical) ( )

If you are a Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants fan. You will like this story of girl friendship as they move from middle school to high school ( )

Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com

Annie and her two BFFs, Genna and Zoe, used to hang out at her grandmother's tea shop. Now, with the end of 8th grade drawing near, the friends are pulled in different directions.

Once nicknamed the Teashop girls, each has her own direction. Zoe's focused on tennis. Genna's focused on acting. Annie becomes focused on the shop once again.

She asks her grandmother for a job as a barista. Annie soaks up the atmosphere. She loves her job, especially as she gets to flirt with her cute co-worker.

Before long, she realizes the Steeping Leaf is in trouble - big trouble. Annie's grandmother might be in danger of closing her shop. Annie vows not to let that happen, and attempts to rally her friends and the neighborhood together to save the shop.

Will their efforts be enough to save the Steeping Leaf?

A cute book about three girls trying to save their friendship as they grow older and grow apart. The illustrations and tea quotes and facts add to the book's charm. I can't wait to see where the story goes next. ( )

Grade 7