The Doughnut Club

A gently charming and warm-hearted family-focused debut story which features the summer holiday of 12-year-old Quinn, her two mothers and half-sibling, Olly. The Doughnut Club centres around Quinn's exploration of what to means to be a donor-conceived child but the book's over-riding theme is a not only a celebration of blended families of many types but also of loving your family, however different you may look and whatever different interests you have. Family is created in the everyday shared experiences and memories that we all have and those unwavering bonds and loyalties that are created.

Whilst Quinn and Olly have always known the origins of their births, on the way to their usual annual holiday in North Devon, their parents inform them that the Donor database has shown they have 16 donor siblings somewhere in the world. Quinn is staggered by this and so begins secretive quest to track down some new found 'family'. Feeling like an outsider at times in her own family unit makes Quinn question if any donor siblings (diblings) may share her love of art rather than action packed surfing holidays or have her red hair or even have asthma like her!

Quinn is a likeable, curious minded and determined character but also demonstrates a lack of self confidence at times; a holidaying family that they see every year has a nemesis for Quinn - Monika Webber. Monika is self-assured, abrasive and seems to take every chance to put Quinn down and taunt Quinn's quiet nature. Even worse, it is Monika who nicknamed her "Doughnut" several years before and yet it seems is an ideal playmate for Quinn's own brother, Olly. This year. Monika appears perfect with her traditional Mummy and Daddy family set-up and her sense of privilege and superiority seems to spur Quinn on to find her place and a real sense of belonging with these unknown donor siblings.

Families come in many forms, though, and Quinn's search for deep, loyal family bonds is a warm explanation and exploration of this. A modern and refreshing relevant family-focused story of growing up and finding your unique place in your circle.

288 pages / Reviewed by Jennifer Caddick, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+

Coming of age stories have always explored feelings of not fitting in - but how might those feelings be complicated if you didn't really know who one of your biological parents was, or how many half-siblings you might have?

Quinn is 12 years old and donor-conceived. She loves her family - her younger brother Olly (also donor-conceived) and her two mothers - but she can't make sense of the way she feels different from all of them. They love adventure sports; she likes drawing. They like action; she likes peace and quiet. With her red hair and green eyes, she doesn't even look like them. When her mums tell her that she has 16 half-siblings, Quinn is all ears. Maybe one of them will be like her!

Her mums are adamant that she is still too young to make contact, but she is desperate to meet them. Tracking them down secretly requires doing things she knows are wrong, but she can't stop herself. As she finds out more, worry mounts. What if her nemesis, the ghastly Monika, turns out to be her donor sibling?

Full of tenderness and humour, The Doughnut Club is fun to read and easily relatable, whether or not you are donor-conceived. I found it very thought-provoking, too. Despite growing numbers of donor-conceived children (and by 2030, it is predicted that there will be an average of one or two in every primary school), I've never previously seen a story for children that addresses what it would be like to be in their shoes. A good title for promoting inclusivity and understanding of difference.

288 pages / Reviewed by Louisa Farrow, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 11+