The Doughnut Fix: 11/02/18

The Doughnut Fix by Jessie Janowitz opens with Tristan lamenting the fact that his parents have decided to uproot the family and move them to an old house in middle of nowhere Petersville. What Tristan misses most in his new town are the doughnuts.

On his first day into town Tristian discovers a place that once sold chocolate creme doughnuts but has stopped because they were too popular. He decides to buy the recipe and learn how to make them.

Most of the book is about Tristian learns how to make the doughnuts and how he builds his business plan. Along with learning how to bake them, he learns how to make the recipe his own.

In tone the book reminds me of All Four Stars by Tara Dairman. It's about a kid taking on an adult task and succeeding through trial and error and some guidance from the adults in their life.

In terms of the road narrative project, Tristian's work can be summarized as a 663333, or a marginalized protagonist in a rural setting and a blue highway. As Petersville is out of the way but still accessible via a car, one can assume it's a blue highway or a road that is established enough to serve a small town but isn't an interstate.

Tristian as a child, albeit a teenager, isn't expected to be able to start his own business. It is the lack of expectation by the woman who owns the doughnut recipe that primarily marginalizes Tristian. But his perseverance (and later the support of his family) results in his success and benefits the town.

Five stars

Comments (2)

Comment #1: Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at 08:36:20

Deb Nance

Thanks for your review. I'm now on hold for it at my library.

Comment #2: Thursday, June 20, 2019 at 17:58:00

Pussreboots

Great. I hope you enjoy it.