Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Perfection. (Cookie Chronicles #3) Matthew Swanson. Illustrated by Robbi Behr. 2021. [December] 336 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: Ben Yokoyama had a pretty good life.
Premise/plot: Ben Yokoyama is back for his third adventure. This time the fortune cookie's fortune brings out the worst in Ben. Yet somehow despite this--or perhaps because of this--his story remains relatable.
His fortune is that practice makes perfect. Ben doesn't read this message in a way that it applies to himself--not really. He reads it and begins seeing imperfection everywhere. His mom. His dad. His best friend. His classmates. Oh, he doesn't exclude himself completely--he sees that he could improve in some areas (like math and baseball). But for the most part, he sees how others imperfections are interfering with him having the best life. The more he goes on a quest for perfection, the more critical (demanding and just plain rude) he is of others (or to others). He becomes a PAIN to be around.
Will Ben learn that life is best lived imperfectly?
My thoughts: I found BEN to be a jerk in this one. Yet isn't it realistic that we see others flaws before our own? So even though I hated what the fortune did to Ben in this one (before he learned his ultimate lesson), I could understand how it could happen.
This one features a new friend for Ben who leads him astray. I haven't decided if this new friend is purposefully misleading/lying OR if he's just beating to the beat of a very different drum. Regardless, Ben believes EVERYTHING this kid says. Even when it doesn't make much logical sense.
I loved, loved, loved books one and two. Book three is not my favorite or best (in this series). But it's not a bad book, just the narrator is a little insufferable.
© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers
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