The Doughnut Fix

Summary:

“Superfudge meets The Lemonade War in this funny, heartwarming series debut about change, adventure, family, and of course, doughnuts.

Tristan isn’t Gifted or Talented like his sister Jeanine, and he’s always been okay with that because he can make a perfect chocolate chip cookie and he lives in the greatest city in the world. But his life takes a turn for the worse when his parents decide to move to middle-of-nowhere Petersville—a town with one street and no restaurants. It’s like suddenly they’re supposed to be this other family, one that can survive without bagels and movie theaters.

His suspicions about his new town are confirmed when he’s tricked into believing the local general store has life-changing chocolate cream doughnuts, when in fact the owner hasn’t made them in years. And so begins the only thing that could make life in Petersville worth living: getting the recipe, making the doughnuts, and bringing them back to the town through his very own doughnut stand. But Tristan will soon discover that when starting a business, it helps to be both Gifted and Talented, and It’s possible he’s bitten off more than he can chew…” (Taken from publisher’s website)

Review:

Tristan’s parents move him and his sisters to a small almost nothing town after living in New York City all of their lives. And Tristan isn’t too happy about it. Apparently the general store used to sell life-changing doughnuts, so good that people would wait in line for them. But, they don’t anymore. Tristan sees this as an opportunity – bring the doughnuts back to Petersville and make this town worth staying in.

I grew up in a small town (not as small as Petersville), but fairly small. I couldn’t imagine the culture shock a kid would go through coming from NYC to a tiny, little town. When you’re used to walking out of your apartment and getting just about anything you could possibly imagine by walking a few blocks or taking a subway, riding your bike six miles to “town” is definitely going to be an eye-opening experience!

I think what I enjoyed most about this book is the characters. The supporting members of Tristan’s family were fleshed out characters with real heart. His mom, the chef, constantly looking for the next best recipe. His dad trying to figure out a new life without his work at the bank. And his sisters who are about as polar opposite as can be and just as interesting as Tristan. Plus, you’ve got the townspeople who are just as individual as the family. With great imagery of the Purple Demon (the fixer-upper Tristan’s parents buy) and the smallness of town where you have to drive an hour to get to the movie theatre, Jessie Janowitz pulls the reader right into the story.

I also really enjoyed the progression of the main character as he moved to Petersville. He can’t wait to move back to the city and his best friend. But as the story progressed, he comes to find that he really likes this new town, his new friend and his doughnut business. He’s so busy learning how to run a business that he forgets to be angry about moving. His friendship with his best friend in the city starts to fizzle out. Which is not an uncommon occurrence when you move away. And even if you don’t as middle school brings new interests, friend groups, and emotions to everyone’s relationships.

Plus, any story that includes a recipe at the end is a winner in my book! You’ve got to mark your calendars because The Doughnut King comes out on May 7th! Now off to find the ingredients to make my own doughnuts!

Final Thoughts:

In The Doughnut Fix, Tristan learns just how hard it can be to start a business, but also what it means to have the support of family and friends that want to see you succeed!

Important Info:

Title: The Doughnut Fix
Author: Jessie Janowitz
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Publication Date: April 1, 2018
Page Number: 304 pgs.