Friends of Children and Literature
Los Angeles Public Library Children's Literature Department
Winning Student Essays from 2024
when the FOCAL Award was presented to Shawn Amos for Milk & Cookies
Frances – Grade 3
The book, “Cookies and Milk”, by Shawn Amos, made me feel so many different emotions, and that is why I enjoyed it so much. I felt like I was a character in the book experiencing all of the feelings the characters were feeling. One emotion I experienced was disappointment. For example, when they opened up the cookie shop and nobody came at first (Chapter 34, page 275), I was filled with heaviness that Ellis was carrying in his heart because he and his father had worked so hard to open the store. The story also provided me with a sense of love, like when Ellis was with his family on his birthday (Chapter 36, page 296). It made me think that family and love are some of the most important things you can have in life.
A scene that stuck with me was when Ellis found out that his father had a brother (Chapter 13, page 137). It reminded me of when my grandpa figured out that he had a different biological father than the dad he grew up with. I connected with Ellis because he deepened his pride in having a bigger family, and I deepened my pride in having Jewish heritage.
Meeting the author would be a great honor because I appreciate that he shared so much about his childhood. He grew up with a father who sacrificed so much for his dream. Just like me the dad says in the story, “Family is tougher than time, my man” (Chapter 33, page 273). To me, that means that no matter how much time has passed, you can always repair family relationships.
Samantha – Grade 3
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My reaction to the book as a whole was that it was interesting to read and I enjoyed it. Every time I picked it up, I wanted to keep reading until the end because I could not wait to find out what the family secret was. My favorite books always have a twist at the end. For instance, when Ellis asked Dad what the Rat Trap was, Dad answered suspiciously, “Nothing.” I knew there was some kind of a family secret and I was excited to keep reading to find out what it was.
My favorite scene in the book that stuck with me was in chapter twenty-four when The Racer crashed into Grandma’s greenhouse and plants fell and one landed on Grandma’s head. Alex and Ellis were just standing there, not sure what to do. This scene made me laugh but it was also one of my favorite scenes because it was when Grandma revealed the twist that Wishbone was Ellis’ Uncle Melvin. That scene stuck with me because Grandma looked funny with a plant on her head but it was also a very important part of the story.
It would mean a lot for me to meet the author, Shawn Amos, because I have some questions for him. For example, I would like to know why he wrote this book about his dad starting a chocolate chip cookie store. Was he really proud of his dad for starting his own business? I also think maybe it was because these were really good memories of his childhood and I’d like to hear more. Another question I have is what made him want to become a blues musician. I love music too and I think it would be interesting to talk to him about why music is important to him.
Pretzel – Grade 4
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What I like best about Cookies and Milk is the amazing twist. It was where Wishbone, the “Radio DJ,” was actually Ellis’ uncle. I like that because it was very unexpected. It also had a great ending when Muddy Waters comes in. I love the creativity and the surprises too, like his dad wanting to open a cookie store. This was a complex character trait because initially his dad didn’t have great ideas, but then this one was a big hit.
The scene I liked best was the mural because I love drawing, the shopping cart, and the colors they used. Don’t get me started on the designs! He used a shopping cart to make yellow streaks. This was so creative. I wouldn’t have thought of that. I also liked how Cosmo used his body to glide on the parking lot on his stomach. He loves surfing and brought this passion into art.
I would be astonished to meet the legendary Shawn Amos, the cookie store connoisseur. Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies are amazing. My dad was born around 1975, “a great year for cookies.” If I met Shawn Amos, I would ask how many days it took to write the book, how old he was when he wrote the book, and what was his journey to writing the book like?
Eliza – Grade 7
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I thought it was an interesting book altogether. It’s a story about a cookie shop but more importantly, it tells the story of a father and son relationship and how it grows and changes as the story goes on. At the beginning of the story, Ellis doesn’t think that his dad listens to him and doesn’t understand his feelings but after the incident on the bus, Ellis and his father finally share their feelings with each other and start to understand each other more.
I thought that the Grandma was a really surprising character because she at first seemed really mean and harsh but at the end of the book, she appeared less uptight and more caring. The note that grandma gave Ellis at the beginning of the book said L.I.T.T.T. which stood for “listening is tougher than talking.” The grandma knew that this lesson was going to be vital to Ellis and his father and by giving them the note, she was saying that they need to listen and be there for each other at all times.
If I met Shawn Amos, I would ask him why he chose to share this story with the world. Was his relationship with his father different in real life or is it similar to the book? Are cookies his favorite dessert?