The Teen's Vegetarian Cookbook

BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION:

The Teen’s Vegetarian Cookbook. Krizmanic, Judy, Puffin Books, New York, ISBN 0-14-038506-1

Plot Summary:

The Teen Vegetarian Cookbook is a book that was written in response to the most common question the author received, “What advice do you give to teens who are just starting out as vegetarians?” The author suggests that you get into the kitchen and cook. This cookbook contains easy recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts and a chapter on college recipes. Throughout the book there are helpful hints from teens on being vegetarian. There is also a very helpful glossary on cooking terms and unusual food items that teens may not come across until they start looking into a vegetarian lifestyle. Majority of the ingredients found throughout the book can be purchased at your local supermarket, which makes being a teen vegetarian even easier and more affordable.

CRITICAL EVALUATION:

Many teens explore the vegetarian diet, whether it is for nutritional or moral reasons. There are many vegetarian cookbooks available in the cooking sections of the library and book store. However, most are not dedicated to teens. I was happy to see a book dedicated to teens cooking vegetarian food. The book begins with some basic cooking tips and provides a great chart about nutrients that your body requires and the best vegetarian source, then moves on to if you don’t like that then try this. This chart provides some great options for teens on choosing foods that are nutritional and their bodies need. The recipes are quite simple with the super easy recipes highlighted by the ‘insanely easy’ icon. The book encourages teens to try foods that they never have tried in moderation. If a teen has not tried tofu, the book suggests that they try a little bit in a stir fry with rice and vegetables rather than using a recipe where the main ingredient is tofu. This seems to be a great solution for those that are picky eaters and will be less daunting for those that are reluctant to try new foods. The recipes also provide alternative ingredients for those that would like to follow a vegan diet (no dairy or eggs). The last chapter on College Cuisine is fantastic for those that will be going away or already are away at school. There are many suggestions for the cafeteria as well as dorm room cooking. The glossary is an excellent resource for teens. It provides explanations about the different vegetarian diet staples like tofu, nutritional yeast and seitan. Throughout the book there are quotes and suggestions from teens about being vegetarian and cooking vegetarian. Overall this is a great cookbook, not only for vegetarian and vegan teens but also for those that would just like to eat healthier. I know I will be purchasing a copy of this cookbook for simple vegetarian cooking.

READER’S ANNOTATION:

If you’ve ever thought that cooking for a vegetarian lifestyle was difficult, think again. The Teen’s Vegetarian Cookbook makes cooking vegetarian meals quick and easy!

AUTHOR:

Judy Krizmanic is also the author of A Teen’s Guide to Going Vegetarian. She currently resides in Chicago, Illinois. I was not able to locate any additional information on the author.

GENRE:

Non-fiction, Cooking

CURRICULUM TIES:

New York State: Health

BOOKTALKING IDEAS:

Did you know that a peanut butter sandwich is a vegetarian meal?
Healthy quick meals you can make on your own.

Reading Level/Interest Age:

Age 13 and up

CHALLENGE ISSUES:

There may be some challenges by those that do not believe in a vegetarian lifestyle or feel that a vegetarian diet is not safe for teens.

In order to prepare yourself should this book be challenged you may wish to take the following steps:

•Read the book or familiarize yourself with the book and its contents.
•Refer to the library’s collection development policy.
•Read the book reviews from sources such as Booklist, School Library Journal, Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), Publisher’s Weekly, or BookSpot.com
•Seek the opinion of teen readers that have read the book.

Should this book be challenged you should follow the additional steps below:

•Advise the senior staff of the challenge.
•Let the patron know that their challenge will be filed and that senior library management will review their request and notify them once a decision has been made.
•Offer any further assistance should the patron have additional questions.

WHY DID I INCLUDE THIS BOOK?

I saw this book on the shelf in the teen room and thought that this would be a great cookbook to read.