My fine fellow

Filled with delectable dishes and an inclusive cast, Cohen's (Dangerous Alliance) gender-bent My Fair Lady retelling centers a cooking competition in 1830s London. At London's Royal Academy of Culinaria Artisticus--which trains cooks and food consultants to society's elite--aspiring Culinarian Lady Helena Higgins is at the top of her class. Though her "sharp tongue offended nearly everyone she met," she's determined to prove, in a world in which Princess Charlotte has succeeded George IV as England's monarch, that she is not only the finest Culinarian in Britain, but that women can sustain themselves professionally and that people from any background can "be improved by the right teachings." As final-year students, presumed-white Helena and her best friend Penelope Pickering, whose mother is Filipina and father is white and English, must each present a project that showcases their abilities; the most outstanding will become highly sought-after Culinarians. While Penelope seeks to emphasize international cuisine's flavors, Helena, after meeting gifted Elijah Little, a white Jewish street vendor whose family fled Bavaria to escape anti-Semitism, determines to transform Elijah into an amateur gentleman chef. Weaving the original source material with relevant social commentary, Cohen creates memorable characters struggling to find their place in a prejudicial world, while alternating viewpoints add depth to the backdrop of this historical culinary treat. Ages 13--up. Agent: Jennifer Unter, the Unter Agency. (Jan.)

This clever, gender-swapped retelling of My Fair Lady is set in an alternate version of 1830s England ruled by Queen Charlotte (who, a historical note explains, was King George IV's only heir but died before ascending the throne). Gender roles have taken steps, albeit small ones, toward being less restrictive than they actually were at that time, and the profession of Culinarian is reserved for women, with its practitioners revered. Culinarian-in-training Helena Higgins sets her sights on turning street-food vendor Elijah Little into a "gentleman chef" for her final project. Those familiar with the musical can almost imagine the rest, though some intentional plot deviations may keep them on their toes. The mostly jovial novel (full of nods to the source material; song lyrics serve as chapter titles) thoughtfully explores real-world issues: Elijah is hiding his Jewishness; Penelope Pickering, whose ancestry is partly from the Philippine Islands, is passing as white; and Helena's evolving attitude toward both adds depth to her snobbish character. This creative take on a classic musical (itself an adaptation of a play) could stand on its own, but for My Fair Lady fans it's especially delicious. Shoshana Flax March/April 2022 p.(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A sparkling retelling of My Fair Lady set in an alternate 1830s London in which Princess Charlotte lives to become queen. Helena Higgins and Penelope Pickering are top students at the Royal Academy of Culinaria Artisticus who dream of being culinary consultants for England's moneyed elite. While Helena is known for her bossy nature and discerning palate, Penelope specializes in drawing on international flavors to create memorable dishes. While shopping at Covent Garden, they come across street peddler Elijah Little, whose "Faraway Pasties"--actually empanadas--leave Helena convinced that with some polish she can turn Elijah into a sought-after gentleman chef. Cohen strikes a compelling balance between paying homage to her source material and telling a new story about two outsiders trying to make their marks in a deeply prejudicial society. Penelope's White English father and Filipina mother live abroad in order to protect their White-passing child's prospects. Orphaned Elijah's family fled to England from Bavaria to escape antisemitism. Cohen seamlessly weaves historical facts about England's Jewish communities throughout her novel, and readers will connect to both Penelope's and Elijah's desires to remain true to themselves in a world that would prefer them to stay on the margins. A compelling novel that showcases the diversity of 19th-century England. (recipe, historical note) (Historical fiction. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.