Ellis’s parents recently divorced, and Ellis, who is Black, resents having to spend the summer of 1976 with his dad while his mom takes some time to herself. Ellis’s dad is a dreamer who has had one failing business idea after another. Now he’s embarking on a new venture: a chocolate chip cookie shop. Ellis loves his dad’s cookies, but who’s ever heard of a cookie store? As Ellis helps get the shop ready to open, he gets to know some of the people in the Los Angeles neighborhood where the store is located. The coolest is DJ Wishbone, who clearly has a tense and mysterious history with Ellis’s dad that Ellis is determined to discover. DJ Wishbone spins records at KIRA and invites music-lover Ellis to watch him work. Then there are the surfing kids Ellis meets on the city bus, the bus driver, and others; as well as Ellis’s dad, grandma, and best friend Alex (white), all rooting for the store to be a success. And in the midst of it all, Ellis realizes that his dad is trying as hard to build a stronger relationship with Ellis as he is to build a business. A premise that could have easily been over the top hits the sweet spot in this entertaining story about family, friendship, and community. (Ages 8-11)

WINNER OF THE NAACP IMAGE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING LITERARY WORK—YOUTH/TEENS!

It's a summer of family, friendship, and fun fiascos in this acclaimed novel that's as irresistible as a fresh-baked cookie. 

Ellis Bailey Johnson has the summertime blues. Instead of hanging out with friends, listening to music, and playing his harmonica, Ellis has to help bring his dad’s latest farfetched, sure-to-fail idea to life: open the world’s first chocolate chip cookie store.

They have six weeks to perfect their recipe, get a run-down A-frame storefront on Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard into tip-top shape, and bring in customers. But nothing goes according to plan, especially when family secrets start to surface. Can Ellis bake up a happy ending?

Partially based on Shawn Amos’s own experiences growing up the son of Wally “Famous” Amos, and packed with humor, heart, and fun illustrations, this debut novel sings with the joy of self-discovery, unconditional love, and community.

“Shawn Amos has written a beautiful story of family and music, of growing up and having adventures, of business building and character building, that is at once very specific and universal. I love Cookies and Milk as much as I love cookies and milk.” –Lisa See, New York Times bestselling and award winning author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and Shanghai Girls

**Don't miss Ellis's next adventure: Ellis Johnson Might Be Famous