Here is a new series full of what it means to be family! It is thought provoking and reassuring all at the same time!

Book #1 – Hole in the Middle – is told by Lindsay as she works out entering middle school. Lindsay’s mother was the art teacher at Belgrove Middle School until she died two years ago. Now, Nans and Grandpa live with Lindsay, her younger brother, and her father. Lindsay’s grandparents own the restaurant ” Park View Table” or the Park for short. Lindsay’s extended family works at this restaurant, too.

Now that Lindsay is starting Belgrove Middle School she will be starting to work in the family restaurant, too. The special part of the restaurant that sells donuts.

The theme “family always has your back…” (44) runs continuously throughout this book with a warm sense of comfort. Middle school is definitely a time in life when a person is trying new things and “start to figure out who you are and what you like.” ( 94) This is a time when comfort is needed. Lindsay’s grandma Mimi comes to town to help her find a special dress for the upcoming Fall Fling. Mimi brings a wide array of dresses with her from Chicago for Lindsay to try on at a ‘dress party’, but Lindsay wonders if it is a ‘pity party’ because everyone else’s mother in this small town is helping their daughter pick out their Fall Fling dress.

Now is the time for the title’s hidden meaning to be revealed. “Nans says that we’re like donuts…we have holes is us, and I guess for me that hole is where I miss Mom…But that like a donut’s shape, we’re surrounded by people, in a tight circle, so that the hole doesn’t get any bigger.” (128)

Each chapter title is topped with candy sprinkles just like on top of a donut.

The first two chapters of book #2 SO JELLY, finish off this book.