Dinner at the Brake Fast

by Renee Beauregard Lute

Dinner at the Brake Fast is a hilarious and heartfelt story about road-trip mishaps, a murderous rooster, facing down anxieties, and unexpected friendship that is a must-pick for readers who loved The Science of Unbreakable Things and The First Rule of Punk.

Tacoma Jones loves working at her family’s roadside diner, the Brake Fast, pouring coffee and serving eggs and muffins to truckers all day long. But tonight, she is finally going to break out her collection of cookbooks and prepare the best dinner the state of Washington has ever seen.

But her excitement is dampened when she learns that today is one of Dad’s bad days, when his depression makes it hard for him to get out of bed.

Tacoma knows she can’t fix her dad’s depression. But what she can do is steal back his prized photograph of his second-best day from her nemesis, the nasty Crocodile Kyle—while also planning a dinner that is sure to brighten up his bad day.

She just might need an accomplice or two to pull off the heist. . . .

Genres: Middle Grade, Mental Health, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Adventure, Family, Contemporary

208 pages, Hardcover

First published June 25, 2024

Reviews

[Amina · Rating 3 out of 5]

✰ 2.75 stars ✰

“That’s what cooking’s about. It’s just taking care of people.”

It’s just taking care of people.”

Twelve-year-old Tacoma Jones who only wishes for a day where she can bring a little change to their family's menu and have an actual dinner - 'a real dinner with gorgeous, locally grown produce' - rather than the normal breakfast servings that her parents' road stop diner, Brake Fast, provides to truckers throughout the day, whilst also hoping that it can bring a little light into the depression that has been weighing heavily on her father recently. 😟 But, if there is one roadblock that she won't mind getting in her way to plan the perfect Dinner at the Brake Fast, it's retrieving back one of her father's prized photographs that was stolen from their diner - especially when you know who the culprit is. A quick break-in and exit - how hard could it be, when she has a little unexpected help along the way. 🙏🏻

Yet, it's amazing how many things can go so wrong, even in the simplest of attempts.

Think, Ferris Bueller's Day Off with middle-grade vibes, but with a slightly more serious undercurrent to it. 😟 One where three very different tweens end up forming an unlikely friendship in which they forge their way through bullies and face their inner demons with courage and conviction. With a little bit of lighthearted humor and capturing the capacity of goodwill is what made Tacoma's efforts pay off, complete with a heartwarming and emotional ending that proved how it is truly in the face of the toughest trials that we ultimately see our true strengths. 🥲

“I don’t really have friends. I’ve got truckers who I like to talk to, and truckers who I don’t like to talk to. But the kids in my class are like aliens to me.

Or maybe I’m the alien.”

I liked how the friendship evolved. The two young people who accompanied Tacoma - 'Denver Cass doesn’t do friends, and Hudgie Wilson is kind of my nemesis' - Denver, who is simply passing through with his Nan on their tour bus and who has sworn off the possibility of long-lasting friendships, because of a painful betrayal, and Hugo, the resident bully who has tormented Tacoma since forever, but who is harboring his own inner torments that have been bullying his heart for just as long. 🫂 It is this unsuspecting partnership, in which they help each other out of the stickiest of situations and how they each step up to battle their own personal issues and help those in need is what I did appreciate. There was a natural ease in which they slowly shifted from strangers to friends - ones who stood by each other in the most awful of moments and helped each other in times of distress - 'Probably my only real friends.' 🥺

“...That’s all he needed at that moment, and it’s what you did. You being there was enough. You remember what I always, always say?”

“Stick with him through the hard times.” I sniff. “And love him all the time.”

Tacoma was an engaging protagonist who led the story with ease. She is carrying a lot of pressure and guilt and anxiety over her father's depression, and I liked that it was depicted in a way that younger readers would be able to understand, and perhaps, relate to. 👍🏻👍🏻 'The dark is a memory, but the despair is now and all the time.' Her own inherent fear of behaving incorrectly, how there is no instant cure to it, but the helpful steps she and her mother take to aid him in those moments was captured well. As much as it is a dark tunnel to get through, there is a light at the end of it - a warm beacon that will outshine even the darkest shadows that threaten to overwhelm you. And for Tacome to understand that and appreciate those around her - the support and help that arrives from the most unexpected places was what stood out for me. As much as I really did believe that most of the story would have been set at the diner, rather than the wayward adventures to eventually reach it - Tacome was a relatable and likeable young girl who made it easy to follow - almost infectious in her ability to want you to assist her in any way possible. 💛💛

“No, Dad. You don’t have to be sorry... It’s bodies and brains, and we’re all just doing the best we can... And you’re going to feel better soon. You always do.”

I felt her helplessness at not really knowing how to help her father at his most vulnerable and weakest moments - unable to speak and just giving up all self - fighting his way to just express himself, and realizing that she has to be the one to speak up for him. 😥 Perhaps, because her intentions were so pure - her motivation out of pure love for her father - her wish that she could help him, despite knowing that she could not entirely was what cheered me on. She was a really caring and considerate daughter, one who is still learning from her mistakes, but is always making sure to look out for her father, in the best way she knows how to. ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹 The inclusion of the truckers brought a more grounded feel to the story - almost as if the author was writing from personal experience. 🚛 It gave a more realistic feel to their interactions as well as the interesting faces and conversations that took place at their diner, as well as her desire to eat something differently and why she was the butt of so many jokes at her class. It was nice to see how this newfound friendship changed the outlook of others' perspective of her; how she was able to not only allow others see the better side of her, but for them to see how very wrong they always thought of her. It was a heartwarming friendship - one that made me wonder whether or not this won't be the last we see of them. 🤔

[Emily Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book was equivalent to eating a meal comprised of my favorite comfort foods. It was sweet, cozy, and full of fun turns. Sure, it feels a bit unrealistic they went on all those adventures in one day, but this is quality middle-grade realistic fiction people!! If you need me over the next few days, you can find me at my local truck stop mumbling,"that's what cooking's about. It's just taking care of people."

[Laela · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Dinner at the Brake Fast" by Renee Beauregard Lute is that rare book that sneaks up on you, combining wit and warmth in a way that leaves a lasting impression. It's a story that, at its core, is about Tacoma Jones, a young girl with more spirit than sense, embarking on a mission to cook the perfect dinner for her dad. Her dad, who’s been buried under the weight of depression, becomes the unwitting recipient of her hopeful, if somewhat chaotic, love.

Lute has a talent for juxtaposing the absurdly hilarious—like a murderous rooster and heist plans gone awry—with the achingly real. It’s in this delicate balance that she finds her strength, guiding us through Tacoma's zany adventures with a deft hand while never losing sight of the profound themes she’s exploring. Tacoma is all of us: a bundle of anxieties and dreams, learning the importance of unexpected friendships and the ways they can lift us up.

There are moments where the narrative stretches credulity with its far-fetched mishaps and elaborate schemes, but these instances are mere hiccups in a story that, overall, is deeply moving and incredibly human. For those who loved the heartfelt explorations in "The Science of Unbreakable Things" and the punky resilience in "The First Rule of Punk," this book will be a comforting, enlightening read.

"Dinner at the Brake Fast" is not just about the power of a well-cooked meal; it’s about the love that goes into making it, the family that gathers around it, and the friends who help make it happen. Lute’s novel is a charming reminder that even in our darkest moments, a bit of humor, a lot of heart, and the right company can bring us back to the light.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tricky tone this straddles could be a great fit for middle-graders interested in dipping a toe into more serious subject matter while at the same time still wanting their reading time to feel for the most part, fun.

This is realistic where it’s important to be, like in affectingly portraying the difficulty of navigating a parent’s mental health (I felt for this entire family), but this isn’t as married to realism when it comes to the quest Tacoma sets out on to retrieve a stolen item and buy ingredients for the special dinner she longs to cook. Allowing that adventurous portion of the story to be full of humor, happenstance, and squirming out of tight spots provides a good counterbalance to the occasional heavier moments.

I really liked this one, the friendships that developed, the unique aspect of this family living and working at a truck stop, how much understanding Tacoma’s mom shows her, and Tacoma’s such a lovable heroine, particularly in her most emotional moments.

[Jill F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute!

[DaNae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a book, where a group of kids have a plan to pull off some sort of espionage or heist or set the world to rights. This was fairly decent, with the kids mostly sounding like kids and not a voice for the author to prove their point. I enjoyed the setting. I have transferred I-90 many, many times, and the truck stops at North Bend are indeed well placed. I also felt it did a good job dealing with a parent suffering from depression. No easy answers but lots of hope and love.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus

Tacoma's family runs a truck stop in North Bend, Washington, that serves all day breakfast, and she has to help out frequently, especially when her father has days where he is struggling with his depression. Even though this isn't always her favorite thing to do, she loves cooking, enjoys the customers, and looks forward to the day when she can use her own cooking skills to go on the road with a food truck. On this particular day, she is supposed to cook dinnerr for a change, and her dad was supposed to go with her grocery shopping. Instead, he can barely get out of bed. When a tour bus barrels into their parking lot in distress, the day gets even more complicated. Tacoma meets the son of the driver, Denver, and the Nick Jersey Hudson Canyon Band. Denver's mother drove a tour bus for John Denver, and coincidentally, Tacoma's father once played in a concert with Bruce Springsteen. This is a story he tells frequently, so he was devastated when the picture that was taken of the event and which had hung on the walls of the diner for years was stolen. Frequent oily trucker customer, Crocodile Kyle, who always causes problems whenever he comes in, whispers to Tacoma that he has the picture hanging by his bed. When it turns out that Denver is going to be stuck at the diner for the day, Tacoma inveigles him into helping her get the picture back. She also involves Kyle's nephew, Hudgie, in the plan, and soon the three involved in a complicated plot that involves an accidental road trip, an aggressive rooster named Tick Tick, an oddities shop, a corn maze, and even a meat vending machine. With the help of Hugh, the rooster's owner, and Denise, a trucker for whom Tacoma always has packets of raw sugar, will a Tacoma be able to get the picture back and return home in time to make dinner?
Strengths: Tacoma is a resilient character who knows what she wants and will let nothing stand in her way. She's a huge fan of cooking, and has quite a collection of regional cookbooks, although we only see her cook right at the end of the book. She is vivacious enough to drag not only visiting Denver into her plan, but to blackmail her nemesis, Hudgie, into helping her out. While some of the kids' hijinks are a little unlikely, they are all realistic. There's even some slightly scary moments, like when they get locked in the oddities shop and stuck in Kyle's truck. It was particularly nice that Kyle got his comeuppance for at least some of his horrible behaviors. The father's depression is dealt with factually, and the family is supportive and has coping mechanims to help. Tacoma and Denver have a mutually supportive friendship, and Tacoma gets her wish to finally make DINNER after years of having to help with breakfast food.
Weaknesses: I was ready to just hang out at the diner for the entire day, but even with the band there, that would have gotten a little boring. This kept taking turns that I didn't quite expect, which isn't a bad thing, but did take me by surprise. Also, the math barely works for Denver's mother to have driven John Denver's tour bus. The last tour before his death was 1997, and since Denver would have been born in 2012, the mother would have had to be VERY young when she drove the bus.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed the trucking component of Hawes' Big Rig or want to hang out at a local diner (like Bauer's Hope Was Here), but really is more of a quirky adventure reminiscent of Greenland's Scouts with a sprinkling of mental health issues akin to Hiranandani's The Whole Story of Half a Girl. Fans of this author's The Exceptional Maggie Chowder will be glad to see this new book, which has a fantastic title.

[Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s better than breakfast? If you asked Tacoma Jones’ parents, they’d say nothing. That’s why their Washington state diner, the Brake Fast Truck Stop, serves breakfast to truckers all day long. But while Tacoma might be hard at work pouring coffee and serving up eggs, she has bigger dreams: namely, cooking dinner. But you have to choose your battles when your dad suffers from depression and you never know how any day might go. That’s why when her nemesis, Crocodile Kyle, steals her father’s favorite photograph off the wall, Tacoma knows this is a battle she’s gonna fight. Lucky for her, she’s got her new friend, Denver, and her unlikely ally, Hudgie, by her side and ready to go the extra mile(s).

Fans of Dan Gemeinhart will relish the rollicking adventures and quirky characters Tacoma gathers as she embarks on a hijinks-filled day filled with road trip mishaps, unexpected friendships, and at least one menacing rooster on her quest to recover the stolen photograph and bring joy—and ingredients for supper—back to the Brake Fast. Lute's writing shines, not only in her ability to create rich, delightful characters and a vivid small-town setting, but also—and especially—in her sensitive, care-filled portrayal of depression and its impact on families, which she manifests with exquisite sentence-level understanding.

Unlike the raucous pieces of the story, when Tacoma’s father has hard days, the pace, narrative devices, and sentences slow and meet him and Tacoma where they are and carry them—and us—through the overwhelming and paralyzing feelings of each moment to what comes next. While pieces of the plot occasionally stretch credibility with their elaborate schemes, fortunate coincidences, speedy turnarounds, and fast-made friendships, Lute has created a touching, memorable, and entertaining read that skillfully blends humor with heartfelt moments, the importance of life-long family with the delight of new friendships, and of course, the promise a good meal has to brighten even the darkest of days.

[Katie Reilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tacoma’s parents own a roadside diner (the Brake Fast) in Washington. She works there, helping serve breakfast food to truckers all day long. But what Tacoma REALLY wants to do is prepare a dinner meal, and after much convincing, her parents agree to it.

Except. Today is one of her dad’s bad days, where his depression makes it hard for him to function. And to top it off, mean trucker Crocodile Kyle hints to Tacoma that he knows what happened to her dad’s prized photo that was hanging on the diner’s wall.

Tacoma knows she can’t fix her dad. But maybe getting back his prized photo will help in some way. So begins a day of stolen Snoballs, breaking and entering, a murderous rooster, a rotten egg, and a missing kid in a corn maze.

What I loved about this middle grade novel:

The length - under 200 pages!

The development of friendships and the sharing of memories between Tacoma, Denver, and Hudgie.

The sharing of grounding exercises and positive self-talk to help break the loop of panic and anxiety.

The band names mentioned:
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
Hootie & the Blowfish
Jon Bon Jovi

Favorite lines:

Page 11:
Mean in the sneaky way is much worse than mean-out-loud, in my opinion.

Page 21:
“We stick with him through the hard times, and we love him all the time. That’s what we can do.”

Page 47:
Dad’s therapist told me that excitement and anxiety can feel like the same thing in your body, so it’s easy to confuse them.

Page 169:
“You take care of people. That’s what this truck stop’s about. That’s what cooking’s about. It’s just taking care of people.”
It’s just taking care of people.

Highly recommend!

[Jamie Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tacoma (12) spends most of her time oustide of school helping her parents run their truck stop, Brake Fast, where they serve breakfast foods all day long. She dreams of cooking dinner for the truck stop just once and is determined to get a yes from her parents to do so. Her father is clinically depressed and trying to deal with his ups and downs, Tacoma has anxiety and panic attacks she uses things her father's councilor taught her to do. On top of that, she knows Crocodile Kyle, a mean bully trucker, stole a memnto from the Brake Fast that was important to her father, and when Denver (13) gets standed when his mother's tour bus breaks down, she convinces him to help her on her mission to get the picture back and to shop for the groceries she needs to make dinner - because her parents finally said yes. Along the way, they envelop Hudgie (12), a bully from her school and Kyle's nephew into the group. The book lasts all of one day from start to finish with flashbacks helping to fill in some of the blanks. Each kid has issues they are dealing with - anxiety, losing someone they loved, verbal abuse - that they share with each other through conversations and experiences in their journey. Though the books is fast paced, the characters interesting, and the truck stop a fun backdrop with other small town oddities, the emotional arcs fall a little flat. The instant friendships and turning Denver and Hudgie into sous chef's in the course of just a few hours doesn't make a lot of sense. An interesting book, but it needed more time to breathe and expand.

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's breakfast all day at the Brake Fast. I can imagine the parking lot full of trucker's who make the diner their regular stop on the way through Washington state. This was a delightful read for Fall. Here are four things I loved:

🚛 Tacoma Jones loves working with her mom and dad to run the Brake Fast. Her experiences cooking and serving breakfasts has given her a passion for cooking. She wants to cook dinner for the customers from time to time and someday have a food truck that travels cross country.

🚌 A broken down band tour bus lands in the Brake Fast lot and adds some excitement to their day. Denver Cass, the bus driver's son turns out to be just the buddy Tacoma needs to have an adventurous day.

🎃Hudgie Wilson is the most surprising character. A reminder that taking the time to get to know someone can totally change your view. Don't judge a book by its cover could not be more apt than in Hudgie's case.

🐔Tick Tick the rooster has a huge impact on the story. His owner Hugh also provides a satisfying support character.

Note: Tacoma's dad struggles with depression and Tacoma demonstrates strategies for dealing with her own anxiety.

The cover, summary, and my experience with another book by the author (The Exceptional Maggie Chowder) made me think this would be a five-star read. It fell a bit short, but I still heartily recommend the author.

[Haleigh Gravgaard · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Dinner at the Brake Fast" by Renee Beauregard Lute is a delightful yet poignant tale that expertly weaves humor and heart. The story follows Tacoma Jones, a spirited young girl who is determined to create the perfect dinner to uplift her father, who is struggling with depression. Lute masterfully balances the light-hearted antics of a road-trip adventure, complete with a murderous rooster and zany heist plans, with the deeper, more serious themes of mental health and family bonds. Tacoma's character is both relatable and inspiring as she navigates her anxieties and learns the value of unexpected friendships.

While the novel's premise is engaging and its characters endearing, it occasionally stumbles with pacing, sometimes stretching the plausibility of the mishaps and heist elements. However, these minor flaws are overshadowed by Lute's ability to craft genuine emotional moments that resonate deeply. Fans of "The Science of Unbreakable Things" and "The First Rule of Punk" will appreciate this heartfelt story that blends humor with the important message that even on the darkest days, hope and support can come from the most unexpected places. "Dinner at the Brake Fast" is a charming read that reminds us of the power of family, friendship, and a well-cooked meal.

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say books come to you when you need them the most and that is true with this one for me.
I loved this book. Tacoma is dealing with really hard stuff with her dad having severe depression and anxiety, where he has to take to his bed. I loved this look into mental health and how it affects families. But there were also such great explanations. Like losing your voice when you are depressed and feeling like you have to "chip away at a wall" to find your way back to your words.
I suffer from depression and have kids and this book resonated with me so much. How sometimes it is just enough. That the space we are in right now and making do with the little bits of happy we can find, is enough.
I will be talking about and putting this book into everyone's hands. It is such a great representation of mental health and how we can all just support and be there for the ones we love and help them push through those rough spots to a better tomorrow.
Thank you to the author for writing this book.
I also loved the adventure in this book and Denver and Hudgie and how they form this really special friendship. I was laughing and crying right along with these characters. They were pure perfection and so real!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

“…feels like someone is pressing a finger into the bruise on my heart.”
🚚
Tacoma Jones lives at the truck stop called The Brake Fast where she and her parents run the diner that serves breakfast food all day. Today, though, Tacoma’s dad is having a bad day so it’s just her and her mom running things. When a local trucker, and all around mean guy, brags about a photo he stole from their restaurant that’s important to her dad, Tacoma makes it her mission to retrieve the photo by any means necessary. With the help of a new friend, Denver, and class bully and nephew of the nasty Crocodile Kyle, Tacoma sets off on an adventure to right this wrong for her dad.
🍳
This was definitely a heartwarming MG book by @reneeblute that will continue to help normalize mental illness and facilitate conversations around this topic. I loved how depression and anxiety were described in this novel Such a great one for our students to read! Fans of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise and Where the Watermelon Grows will enjoy this story as well.

CW: bullying, confinement, anxiety, anxiety attack on page, depression, hospitalization, toxic friendship, suicidal ideation, injury, blood

4.25 ⭐️ for a bit of incredulity at the kids’ adventures

[Christine LaBatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tacoma works at her family's truck stop diner, but she dreams of cooking dinner there instead of just breakfast. She finally gets approval from her parents, but the day of, her dad is having one of his bad depression days. She becomes determined to get back one of his prized possessions with the hope it will help him want to cook with her.

This one started a little slow, but once Denver gets involved, it became an easy to read story! I thought it dealt with depression really well, especially since the main characters are 12 and presumably that is the target audience. Although it does deal with heavy topics, it felt lighthearted at times with Tacoma and Denver (and then eventually Hudgie) getting involved in shenanigans. It also had good themes of empathy and understanding how someone's trauma can lead them to their actions. Definitely recommend for middle grade kids (and even adults)!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would based on the vibes of just the cover. In this story, the main character lives and works at a truck stop owned and operated by her parents. Due to the breakfast theme of this particular truck stop, she longs to make supper and dreams of one day owning and operating her dinner/supper only food truck. Finally given permission by her parents, she wakes up hoping that today's the day but her dad who struggles with severe depression is having a bad day which means she might not get the first step in her dream. The story evolves into an attempt - with a new friend - to recover something special for her dad to help him, potentially, out of his funk. I think the author did a fairly good job balancing the lighthearted "caper" with the weight of caring for her dad. I would recommend this!

[LS Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though it was predictable and unbelievable (no one is hiding out in a semi and traveling that far without a parent noticing they are missing, the rescue, and the climax with the police). But I loved it and was totally into the adventures and friendship between Tacoma, Denver, and unlikely Hudgie. Tacoma felt like such a pure soul, a genuine child who loved her family. I liked the family mantras of "stick with him through the hard times and love him all the time", and "It's all right enough". I think the issue of a parent with depression was supposed to be more significant in the story, but I didn't find the father character to be developed enough to make the desired impact. Still, I really enjoyed this book. And the cover art is wonderful!

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read that was very sweet and funny, but with a touch of real depth that just didn’t quite get there for me. I really liked the adventure Tacoma, Denver and Hudgie get themselves into (and out of) to get a stolen family memento back. The friendships form in a way that feels believable, and I liked how Tacoma and Denver defined “scary” when they first started sharing stories. I didn’t expect that (maybe because I read too much horror? Lol) I gave this 4 stars because everything wraps up just a little too tidily at the end. That said, I really enjoyed this little escapade in Washington State. Recommended for readers who like Kelly Yang, Katherine Applegate, Sharon Draper, and Jamie Sumner.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid story! It was also a quick read, because the story takes place within 24 hours or more accurately within the day time hours, pretty much. I also really appreciate the portrayal of mental illness here in the sense of the support group. This is summed up by the line: "Stick with him through the hard times. And love him all the time". This line is also just great for life, in general. In terms of audience, this can be good for late elementary (5th grade and up). It does talk about depression and briefly touches on child neglect/abuse (a mean Uncle who doesn't treat his nephew right and will leave the nephew alone to meet a lady), which means it may not necessarily be good for too young of a reader (depending on that reader).

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This heartfelt middle grade novel tackles some big themes including depression, anxiety, and child abuse.
This story unfolds over a day, but what an exciting day it is as Tacoma meets Denver (who lives pretty much the exact reciprocal of her lifestyle) and finds herself working with Hudgie (who's bullied her for years). The way in which Tacoma and Denver deepen their friendship through sharing memories feels very authentic. The cast of characters in the diner and across towns are colorful and make the story feel full.
While the hints along the way are recognizable to me, an adult, I'd bet a tween would be thrilled with the twists and turns in this adventure. I'd recommend this title to a tween dealing with anxiety or anyone that has had to grow up too fast.

[Erin Sterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book in one evening. Tacoma Jones works with her parents at the Brake Fast, a trucker stop that serves breakfast all day and is super excited her parents are letting her cook dinner the night the book starts. But in the meantime, she has to get back a picture this mean trucker stole, which puts her and 2 new friends on an adventure. What I love: it's a short book with a strong voice and humorous moment while also dealing with real issues, like her dad's depression and her own anxieties. Great for kids who like Dan Gemeinhart books (Coyote Sunrise in particular). Do things get wrapped up pretty nearly at the end? Yes, and I enjoyed it.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

12-year-old Tacoma Jones loves working at her family’s breakfast-all-day diner, but can’t wait to serve a REAL dinner...tonight! But when the disappearance of her dad’s favorite photograph triggers a flare-up of his depression, Tacoma isn’t sure she’ll be able to pull it off. Luckily, Tacoma finds a new friend in a fellow loner, Denver Cass, and sets out on an adventure to plan the best dinner ever AND get back her dad’s photo.

The voice was fantastic, filled with warmth and verve but also very real and very engaging. I loved how the relationships progressed. Lute does an excellent job of portraying Mr. Jones’ depression with nuance and grace. Enjoyable on audio as well.

[Deena Lipomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tacoma helps her parents run their truck stop breakfast diner, and she hopes that by rescuing her dad's stolen celebrity photo and cooking up a perfect dinner, it will help his depression. Tacoma makes diner life seem fun, and the adventure she has with two new friends over the course of one day is brave. The reader also learns about her father's illness and how scared Tacoma is when he is down, and how the family tries to keep each other's spirits up. A good middle grade romp that gently addresses a serious issue.

[Rachel Elyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tacoma finally gets to cook dinner for her family's all breakfast truck stop restaurant, but she has to go on an adventure first. Tacoma is also dealing with her father's depression. Will she be able to cook the dinner she's always wanted to cook for her parents and the other visitors for the truck stop?

This is a great book for tween/teens who deal with mental health of themselves or their loved ones. It's a story about how to deal with things that are overwhelming and scary or other difficult situations.

[AllyP Reads Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but kind of far fetched and completely illogical. The diner is in North Bend but the kids ride their bikes to the Snoqualmie Tunnel which would take at least two hours to get to. The book makes it seem like they just rode there across town. I also got really, really tired of hearing about this stupid dinner. We get it already; you have to make your dinner. Perhaps if it was so important you would have planned better and had a menu and ingredients ahead of time?

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tacoma helps her parents run their truck stop diner, which serves breakfast all day. She dreams of having her own food truck traveling around the country and serving all kinds of food. When a picture of her dad is stolen from the diner, she vows to get it back and also wants to serve all the truckers dinner for the first time (she has been begging her parents for this for a while). This story has humor, adventure, heart, family, friends, and is just delightful.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great writing style. Great characters. Fun story to read--if one can get adjusted to the depressed dad whose shadow hangs over the main character (so to speak). The 'adventure' was highly entertaining and the friendships that formed were a nice bonus. I really enjoyed this book--and I'm decades older than the intended audience, I'm sure.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was SUCH an entertaining read; I was kind of disappointed that it was so short because I want more! Engaging right from the beginning, this will capture the attention of young readers but also contains a lovely messages about mental health and bullying. I loved the quirky friendship that develops between Tacoma and Denver and really love seeing the redepemption of Hudgie

[Ramona · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing tale of three very different kids who bond over a chance meeting, at the Brake Fast Diner. It has humor, spunk, and gives us a reason for why old-fashioned, family-owned diners are still important today. Friendship can happen in the most unusual places, and under unusual circumstances. A great read for pre-teens, moms and dads.

[Laura Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet short book about friendship, food and feelings. Most of the book takes place on just one day when Tacoma Jones decides to make dinner at the breakfast only truck stop her family runs. Full of heart!