Riley and the Kitchen Katastrophe


Children - Preteen
104 Pages
Reviewed on 06/18/2012
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

Halima Sahar Muhammad is an avid reader who has been a Texas State Finalist in the Letters About Literature writing contest in 2010, 2011, and 2012. After successfully completing National Novel Writers Month challenges in 2010 and 2011, Halima decided to edit and publish her first middle-grade novel, Riley and the Kitchen Katastrophe. Halima is 12-years old, homeschooled, and will be entering the 9th grade in the fall. In her spare time, Halima enjoys reading, fashion, swimming, painting, and hanging out with family and friends.

    Book Review

Reviewed by James Miller for Readers' Favorite

"Riley and the Kitchen Katastrophe" is a middle grade novel about a young girl named Riley, who is eleven years old. Riley and her older brother Atticus are always fighting with one another. Their mother is a writer who is out of town on business, and when their father also has to leave for business, Riley and Atticus are made to stay with family who live out in the country. They stay with their aunt and uncle, and their cousins. While visiting, Riley and her brother volunteer to prepare a meal for a dinner party hosted by their aunt for her new neighbors. While Riley and Atticus are making the meal, the kitchen quickly fills with smoke and the feuding siblings have to make a quick decision about whether or not they are willing to work together and help each other out.

Halima Sahar Muhammad delivers a great middle grade novel for preteens and children. "Riley and the Kitchen Katastrophe" isn't too heavy on any themes or subjects, and is a light and fun novel. There were times when I laughed out loud. The plot is great for a middle grade, and it is something that any person with a sibling can probably relate to. Halima was able to make the brother/sister relationship realistic, and that is definitely an important part of the novel. "Riley and the Kitchen Katastrophe" will definitely catch the attention for preteens and older children. It is a fast-paced novel, which keeps the reader interested. It never got boring. Overall, "Riley and the Kitchen Katastrophe" was light, fun, and realistic.