I so love this new series! I love how each one is written by a different author about a different student. Karina is one of my favorite authors, and I love that she created a character who bakes- it reminds me of the Vanderbeekers :) such a great series and the length is perfect!

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Poppy's popo's Pineapple buns and egg tarts brought me back to my childhood and made me miss my grandma immensely. Especially the mention of my childhood favourite candy Dragon's Beard. This is a heart warming story about courage, family and friendship. The book follows Poppy navigating her worries about her beloved grandmother's health, learning to find her own voice and strength in her family. This chapter book is perfect for kids who love family- centered stories that has yummy treats, gentle moments and a lovely message about caring for loved ones.

a lovely children's chapter book that shows family love and talks about the struggles of dealing with Alzheimer's in a child-friendly way.

if you're a kid understanding mental illnesses can be hard but this book beautifully deals with a difficult topic. it shows that you won't be left alone because there are people out there that will help you with big and small problems.
this book has positivity on every page which makes me very happy, it is a great addition to children's libraries.

I received an electronic ARC from Algonquin Young Readers through NetGalley.
Poppy's family has moved to a new place and she worries about fitting in. Readers see her classmates include her as Glaser shows their distinct personalities. We also see her relationship with her Po Po (grandmother). This special bond comes through clearly. I appreciate how tenderly the author handles the memory loss and diagnosis of Alzheimer's. When Poppy is brave enough to share what is happening with her grandmother, her friends share comfort and stories from their lives too. When Po Po is able to come for Valued Visitor Day, other people bring treats to share as Poppy could not make them. Readers will connect with these classmates and see themselves somewhere in the mix.
I'm looking forward to this entire series as each author shares one of the student's stories. This is book 3.

Poppy's family has recently moved to Peppermint Falls when her father was offered a job. Now, instead of living in her Po Po's house, the family has an apartment over a fitness studio. Po Po is an excellent baker, who used to have her own business, and still makes delicious treats that Poppy takes to school in the vintage lunch box that Po Po used when she was Poppy's age in Hong Kong. Poppy is still making friends in Mrs. Z's CLASS at Curiosity Academy, and when she offers to carry Memo's lunch box for him because he's on crutches, they get to talking about the fact that Po Po is coming to school soon to be a Valued Visitor. With Po Po's birthday coming up, Poppy tells Memo that she hopes to make dragon beard candy, which is Po Po's favorite. Memo thinks it sounds really cool, and soon tells other classmates that Poppy will be bringing in this fascinating sounding treat. This worries Poppy when she finds out how hard it is to make. Po Po has had some problems lately, putting salt in a recipe instead of sugar and leaving the television remote in the freezer, but Poppy's older brother Calvin says it's probably nothing to worry about. Poppy's parents let her work with a neighbor, artist Mrs. Kellogg, to make the candy so that it is a surprise. Unfortunately, when Poppy is working at the neighbor's apartment, Po Po has a fire in the oven, and then wanders off. Poppy finds her grandmother at the Sweet Bun Bakery, but it's clear that the grandmother needs to see the doctor. Poppy is very upset the day of her grandmother's appointment, and talks to Memo about what's going on. She also lets her class know that her grandmother might not be able to visit. They are all understanding. Luckily, Po Po has a good day, and does get a chance to come and tell Mrs. Z's class about her experiences running a bakery. The students want to make her feel welcome, and bring treats from their own family background.
Strengths: Poppy has just moved to town, and is sad about some of the things she has left behind, but is doing a great job settling in. The fact that she has some rather grandiose plans about the dragon beard candy is right on track for most third graders, and she does occasionally get frustrated. Po Po's dementia is described and explained in a way that will make sense to younger children, but won't alarm them. I liked that her classmates are all supportive, and the message that it's helpful to share hard things that are happening with our friends is on trend. My favorite part of this book was the fact that Po Po embroidered little red hearts on Poppy's clothes to remind her about how much she loved her granddaughter; if I ever have grandchildren I might have to brush up on my embroidery skills!
Weaknesses: I almost wish there were a note at the end of the book about dementia, since this is pretty tough stuff. Of course, having dealt with a lot of older people, I was sort of hoping that Po Po's altered state was temporary, and caused by a UTI. (If you haven't dealt much with the elderly, this is a real thing that can be very alarming.)
What I really think: This is a must purchase series for elementary schools, especially where series like Mills' After School Superstars or Franklin School Friends are popular.

I really loved this installment of The Kids in Mrs. Z's class. I had not read any of the others, and coming in cold to number 3, it was still easy to understand the general context of the class (clearly Mrs. Z is awesome) and the type of environment she has cultivated. We learn about Poppy's story, how she came to be in the class, and we follow along as she goes from confident and excited to distressed and sad, to accepting of a difficult situation. I love books that model kindness and empathy and this one does that so well in such a short space. We really care about Poppy and her Po Po and root for them through the last page. Looking forward to meeting the rest of the kiddos!

What a darling book! My daughter and son just adored this story. It was really fun and exciting for them! Well done!

What a lovely, age-appropriate book dealing with friendships, aging family members, and love during memory loss. This third book also builds onto the first two without requiring readers to read them in order. I'm excited for this series to continue!

I was excited for this series. I like that each character’s story is written by a different author. Best way to get a variety of personalities. I loved the family ties in this book. Great characters and story. Great addition

Poppy loves carry her lunch box to school. It was her grandmothers, PoPo and she used it growing up in Hong Kong. Poppy’s family recently moved to Peppermint Falls and moved PoPo in with them. PoPo loves to cook and Poppy loves her lunch and the things that PoPo makes for her. Poppy enjoys sharing her sweet treats with her new classmates. Poppy notices that PoPo starts to forget things. Poppy gets to bring PoPo to share for Valued Visitor Day and has promised her classmates Dragon’s Beard Candy. Then only problem it’s really difficult to make and she wants to surprise her grandmother, so she is attempting it on her own at her neighbors. In the middle of making it, Poppy hears the smoke alarm in her apartment. They rush in to find food smoking in the oven and PoPo gone. Luckily PoPo is found and the family realizes PoPo needs some help. PoPo makes it in for Valued Person Day without the Dragon Beard candy, but with their class’ support and understanding.

This is the first book I’ve read in the series and I really enjoyed it. I can see this actually happening and it was so nice to see a supportive class. It handle a tough subject in a sensitive manner. I can’t wait to read more books in the this series. I can’t wait to share this book.