About the Book

Discussion Questions

From Penguin Young Readers Group

• Foster idolizes Sonny Kroll, a well-known Food Network cook, and dreams of having her own Food Network show.  Sonny teaches his viewers “to go with what you’ve got” when making a meal.  How is his advice a metaphor for Foster’s bravery?  Why do you think Foster idolizes Sonny?
• In what ways are Foster and Miss Charleena alike?  How do these similarities contribute to their ability to work together?
• Foster has lost her father and is convinced she cannot learn to read or write.  Why is she able to tackle reading in Culpepper, given her fear and negative experiences in former schools?
• One can argue that perseverance is a recurring theme in Close to Famous.  Find several passages that support this argument.  How does the concept of perseverance weave the story together?

Recipes

Foster’s Famous Vanilla Cupcakes

1 & 1/2 cup cake flour
1 cup sugar
1 & 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter softened (one stick)
1 large egg
2 large egg yolks
1 & 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup coconut (for moistness)
1/2 cup milk

In one bowl, sift cake flour with baking powder and salt. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar with mixer. Beat in eggs and vanilla until creamy. Add cake flour mixture a little at a time with the milk until well blended and fluffy. Fold in coconut. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full. Makes around 15.

Bake at 350 for 20 – 25 minutes. Let cupcakes cool on rack. Pile on the vanilla frosting.

Vanilla Frosting

1 box confectioners sugar
1/2 cup butter softened (1 stick)
3-4 tbsp milk or, if you want it extra special, instead of milk add 3 & 1/2 tbsp half and half
1 tsp vanilla

Combine all in a bowl, and beat with your mixer for two minutes until creamy.

Sonny’s Chocolate Mayonnaise Cupcakes

2 cups cake flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa (I use Hershey’s)
1 cup water
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup mayonnaise plus 1 tblsp mayo
1 egg
1 cup sugar plus 1 tblsp sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Sift in bowl — cake flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Stir well to blend.
In another bowl, cream sugar, mayonnaise, egg, water and vanilla together in mixer on low at first, then high to blend.
Add dry ingredients to wet 1/3 at a time until well blended.

Bake at 350 for 18 minutes, then check for doneness. Can go 20 – 25 minutes depending on your stove.

Makes 16-18 regular cupcakes. Frost high and deep with chocolate or vanilla frosting. Grate chocolate over the frosting if you really want to show off.

Serious Chocolate Frosting

1 stick butter
1/2 cup cocoa (I use Hershey’s)
1/3 cup milk — if you add a little cream, it’s heaven
3 cups powdered sugar
1tsp vanilla

Combine powdered sugar, vanilla in bowl with milk and mix on low.

Melt butter, add cocoa. Add to sugar mixture, beating till fluffy. I whip this on high at the end.