The Pancake Trap

Gr 3-6–In Young and Lassiter's latest ­graphic novel, 10-year-old Maple is the soul of Dot’s Diner and prides herself on being a “griddle master” who’d rather flip pancakes than do just about anything else. But with her grandmother’s restaurant on the brink of closing, Maple is at odds with her older sister, ­Margaret, who is already eyeing the exit door for college and wants their mom to sell. On the diner’s final day, the sibling rivalry takes a back seat when the girls stumble into a high-stakes treasure hunt hidden right ­beneath the floorboards. ­Accompanied by a loyal friend, a robot drone, and a scrappy pup, the sisters navigate a subterranean world of syrupy traps and culinary puzzles. The food-themed art elements are a nice touch, though the sudden shifts into recipe pages can feel like a speed bump in the middle of the action. While the plot ­occasionally trips over its own feet, the pun-heavy ­humor and breakfast-themed world-building are genuinely charming. The heart of the book is the evolving bond ­between the “­pageant-perfect” Margaret and the messy, determined Maple, who both cue white.