Dessert First by Hallie Durand

Dessert is a third-grader who has a strange but wonderful new teacher who tells them to march to the beat of their own drum.   But when Dessert tries to do something as simple as having her family eat dessert first at supper, her parents do not appreciate the suggestion.  With a little finesse, Dessert does persuade them to give it a try with great results.  But this mischievous girl finds herself unable to say no when her mother leaves a box of her grandmother’s famous Double-Decker Chocolate Bars in the refrigerator and declares them off limits.  Meanwhile, there is a fundraiser for her teacher’s anniversary at the school that calls for the children to give something up.  Dessert has no idea what to give up, but her enemy is waiting with a special suggestion.  Spend a delightful time with Dessert and her very active family of foodies.

Durand has set the perfect tone here.  One that children will relate to effortlessly.  There is a great sense of humor, a nuanced approach to naughtiness, and examples of frenzied but quality parenting.  Dessert is a character who is interesting, conflicted and great fun.  The supporting characters are equally interesting from her parents to her teacher to the people who work at her parents’ restaurant.   Durand’s pacing is also well done, with the book speeding right along like a sweet sugar rush. 

A life-long fan of dessert, I am happy to say that it continues to hold true with this title.  I’m looking forward to Dessert’s next adventure, one just knows it will be sweet but never saccharine. Appropriate for ages 7-10.