Lasagna Means I Love You

About this book

What are the essential ingredients that make a family? Eleven-year-old Mo is making up her own recipe in this unforgettable story that's a little sweet, a little sour, and totally delicious. Nan was all the family Mo ever needed. But suddenly she’s gone, and Mo finds herself in foster care after her uncle decides she’s not worth sticking around for. Nan left her a notebook and advised her to get a hobby, like ferret racing or palm reading. But how could a hobby fix anything in her newly topsy-turvy life? Then Mo finds a handmade cookbook filled with someone else’s family recipes. Even though Nan never cooked, Mo can’t tear her eyes away. Not so much from the recipes, but the stories attached to them. Though, when she makes herself a pot of soup, it is every bit as comforting as the recipe

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Why widely assigned

This Juvenile Fiction title, typically at grades 6–8. Published in the canon; cited across 1 curriculum framework.

Where this book is assigned

• South Carolina Junior Book Award

  • recommended·6th grade · South Carolinasource: South Carolina Junior Book Award (South Carolina Association of School Librarians) — 2025-26 nominee (grades 6-8), read + voted by South Carolina students; nominee list via studySC / SC State Library + SCASL
  • recommended·7th grade · South Carolinasource: South Carolina Junior Book Award (South Carolina Association of School Librarians) — 2025-26 nominee (grades 6-8), read + voted by South Carolina students; nominee list via studySC / SC State Library + SCASL
  • recommended·8th grade · South Carolinasource: South Carolina Junior Book Award (South Carolina Association of School Librarians) — 2025-26 nominee (grades 6-8), read + voted by South Carolina students; nominee list via studySC / SC State Library + SCASL

Common questions

What grade level is Lasagna Means I Love You?

Lasagna Means I Love You is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 6–8. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.

How long does it take to read Lasagna Means I Love You?

It takes about 6h 45m to read Lasagna Means I Love You (369 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 405 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

What curricula assign Lasagna Means I Love You?

Lasagna Means I Love You appears on reading lists for South Carolina Junior Book Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.

Is Lasagna Means I Love You banned in schools?

Lasagna Means I Love You does not appear in PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. No documented multi-district removals on record, but individual districts may challenge titles locally.