Summary
Donna Gephart’s novel Lily and Dunkin traces the unexpected friendship between two teens who feel trapped by their circumstances and yearn for acceptance.
Lily, born biologically male, has lived most of her life as a boy named Martin. Now in seventh grade, she’s desperate to be recognized as the girl she knows she is. At school she endures whispered jokes and cruel teasing. Her mother tries to help, but she’s overwhelmed by Lily’s pain and the hostility of neighbors. Lily’s sorrow is a sharp pulse under every interaction.
Meanwhile, Dunkin Dorfman, Lily’s classmate, struggles with dyslexia. He misreads words, stumbles over math, and fails tests even when he studies all night. He’s tormented by guilt over his father’s death, believing he should have done more. To hide his fear of failure, Dunkin acts tough. He joins a boxing class on the city’s edge, thinking he can punch away his insecurities.
Their lives intersect when Lily finds a note Dunkin has thrown out: it’s an advertisement for the boxing gym. She recognizes the flyer from school—Dunkin’s punching bag incident. She sends him a message, signing only “L.” Curious, he replies. They haggle over text, teasing each other but also sharing small truths: Dunkin’s struggle with letters, Lily’s longing for a new name and wardrobe.
As they exchange messages after school, Lily describes her homemade dresses and Dunkin admits he’s terrified of reading aloud in class. They find a chance to meet under the big willow tree behind the school building. Lily brings a glittery butterfly hair clip and pins it on Dunkin’s sweatshirt. Dunkin jokes that now he’s like a fairy warrior. They both laugh—a moment of pure relief.
Lily confides that her birth certificate still says Martin, so she can’t join the middle school cheer squad. She prays for a day when people will call her Lily without hesitation. Dunkin listens, finally offering comfort. He opens up about his dad, who died in a car crash last year. Tears fill Lily’s eyes when Dunkin chokes out his regret. They hug awkwardly, but it feels right.
Their bond grows. Lily helps Dunkin master his spelling by quizzing him on words she writes in chalk on the sidewalk. Dunkin teaches Lily how to throw a proper punch, guiding her stance and grip. They train together at the rundown gym. Sweat and laughter blur into confidence. For a while, they forget the world outside.
Yet trouble brews. A group of boys at school discover Lily’s secret and corner her after class. They shove her backpack, mocking her name and calling her slurs. Dunkin arrives just in time. He steps between Lily and the bullies, flaring with fierce loyalty. He throws a warning punch in the air, demanding they back off. They scatter, stunned.
Word spreads that Dunkin fought off three older boys. Teachers applaud his bravery but scold him for violence. Dunkin feels torn. He’s proud he protected Lily, but a suspension looms. Lily comforts him, insisting he did the right thing. She slips her hand in his as they walk home, their fingers entwined.
At home, Lily endures another crisis. Her mother finds the butterfly clip and rages. She rips Lily’s dresses from the closet, demanding that Lily embrace Martin again. Lily runs from the house, tears streaming, until she collapses in Dunkin’s arms at the gym’s back door. Dunkin wraps her in his hoodie, promising he won’t let her face anything alone.
Their friendship becomes a lifeline. Dunkin negotiates with the school principal for Lily’s right to use the girls’ restroom. Lily helps Dunkin ask his teacher for extra time on tests. They sit side by side in class, sharing whispered support. Other students notice, too. Some stare, others grin in approval. Slowly, a few classmates begin to accept Lily’s new name.
The climax arrives at the gym’s annual showcase. Dunkin steps into the ring against a tougher opponent. His hands shake, but he sees Lily cheering in a pink T-shirt with her new name in glitter. He remembers their shared moments: chalked words, sewing stitches, whispered secrets. Dunkin steadies himself and lands the winning jab. The crowd roars. Lily leaps onto the ring apron, hugging him.
In the aftermath, Lily faces her mother with courage. She wears a favorite dress and hands over a printed copy of a corrected birth certificate application. Her mother’s anger falters. She sees Lily’s resolve and the way Dunkin watches them both with pride. Neither parent has all the answers, but they glimpse a path forward.
As summer arrives, Lily and Dunkin plan a trip to City Hall to file for a name change together. They talk about high school, friendships, and all the letters Lily will one day write without fear. Dunkin practices spelling Lily’s full name on big sheets of paper. Lily practices her left hook with a grin.
In the final moments, they sit beneath the willow tree again. Lily smooths Dunkin’s hair and he smiles. Neither knows exactly what tomorrow holds, but they share hope. Together they’ve claimed their voices. Together they’ve found home.
Detailed Summary
Plot Summary
1. Lily’s First Day at School
Lily Jo McGrother dreads her first day at school after summer break. She steels herself against the stares and whispers that follow her everywhere. Every morning, she battles anxiety over her long hair, torn clothes, and the rumors about her family’s poverty.
When Lily steps onto the playground, a group of girls laugh at her threadbare uniform. Inside the classroom, she clenches her fists, determined not to cry. A kind teacher, Mrs. Eastman, gently guides Lily to an empty desk and introduces her to the rules—notes of normalcy in Lily’s unsettled world.
By lunchtime, Lily forces down her sandwich while avoiding eye contact. She watches the other girls trade lunches and chat about weekend plans. Despite feeling alone, Lily resolves to survive this year with her head held high.
2. Dunkin’s High School Struggles
Dunkin, whose real name is Keith Zander, begins another semester at Centerville High. He worries about college applications and maintaining his grades. His ADHD, undiagnosed until this year, makes it hard to focus during algebra.
In history class, Dunkin taps his pencil incessantly. His teacher, Mr. Moreno, notices his restlessness and sends him to the counselor’s office. There, Dunkin admits he feels scatterbrained and frustrated, especially when classmates tease him for daydreaming.
That afternoon, Dunkin confides in his best friend, James. James encourages him to seek help, promising to stand by him. Dunkin nods, secretly relieved to have someone believe in him.
3. Lily’s Home Life and Secret
After school, Lily returns to her run-down trailer. She tiptoes past her little sister’s bedroom, careful not to wake baby Zoe. In the kitchen, Lily grabs stale cereal for dinner. Her mother, Sarah, works two jobs and comes home exhausted.
That night, Lily sneaks out her father’s old military jacket and dials a restricted number. On the other end, her father’s voice crackles through—a soldier deployed overseas. Lily hides her tears, pretending pride as he tells her to stay strong.
Before hanging up, her father reminds her to take care of her sister. Lily feels the weight of responsibility pressing down on her. She whispers that she’ll be okay, even though she doesn’t believe it.
4. Dunkin’s Diagnosis
After weeks of struggle, Dunkin meets Dr. Patel, the school psychologist. She administers tests and listens as Dunkin describes his attention lapses and impulsive actions. For the first time, someone takes his worries seriously.
A few days later, Dr. Patel delivers the diagnosis: ADHD. Dunkin feels a mix of relief and fear. He’s not just “lazy” or a “daydreamer” after all; there’s a real reason.
Dr. Patel suggests medication and coping strategies. Dunkin experiments with both, balancing the promise of focus against the fear of feeling “not himself.” He worries his friends will treat him differently.
5. An Unexpected Friendship
One afternoon, Lily sits alone under an old oak tree, flipping through a borrowed library book. Dunkin, heading home from school with James, spots her crying softly. He pauses, noticing her ragged clothes but also her quiet intensity.
Without thinking, Dunkin sits beside Lily and offers her the last piece of candy in his pocket. She looks up, startled. He introduces himself and James, who emerges shyly from behind a bush. Lily hesitates, then accepts the candy.
Over the next hour, they exchange small stories—Lily about her father’s letters, Dunkin about his restless mind. They discover a shared sense of being outsiders. As the sun dips low, they promise to meet again.
6. Facing Fears and Finding Hope
Dunkin invites Lily to a support group at school for students with learning challenges. Lily hesitates but follows him into a crowded room. Faces glance her way, then return to their own struggles. She realizes everyone here carries a hidden burden.
Meanwhile, Lily helps Dunkin draft his first college essay. She writes about resilience in the face of storms—her storms and his. Dunkin listens, impressed by her strength. He’s never felt so understood.
At the end of the semester, Lily receives a letter from her father, praising her bravery. Dunkin gets his first A in English. Together, they celebrate under that old oak tree. In each other, they find a friend who sees beyond their fears—and believes they can succeed.
Characters
1. Lily Jo McGrother (Protagonist)
“I’m not scared of you,” Lily lied, voice quivering as the girls in the hallway whispered her into a corner.
Lily Jo enters seventh grade with a lump in her throat. She bears hand-me-down clothes and a reputation born of poverty. Every day, she sizes up the other students, wondering if they’ll mock her again. Deep down, Lily longs for a friend to see past her rags and offer kindness.
At home, Lily carries adult responsibilities. She soothes her baby sister and cooks simple meals when her mother works late. Yet Lily clings to hope. She reads borrowed library books by night, dreaming that one day her story will be more than survival.
“Daddy, don’t let me be ugly,” Lily once whispered into the phone—revealing her fierce fear that the world judges her appearance before her spirit.
2. Keith “Dunkin” Zander (Protagonist)
“I can’t concentrate on math if my brain’s doing cartwheels,” Dunkin huffed, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
Dunkin races through life at a hundred miles an hour. His mind darts from algebra problems to a funny scene in Saturday’s football game. He has ADHD but no label—until now. Without understanding what’s wrong, he’s called names and asked to “sit still.”
Despite his struggles, Dunkin’s heart stays big. He tutors younger kids, helps his mom with chores, and always carries candy for lonely classmates. When he meets Lily, he senses a fellow soul adrift. Dunkin’s loyalty and humor light her darkness.
“I’m not broken,” Dunkin insists when Dr. Patel mentions treatment—showing his resolve to accept help without losing himself.
3. Sarah McGrother (Lily’s mother)
“We do what we must, sugar,” Sarah sighed, pressing Lily’s damp hair against her cheek.
Sarah works two jobs—day shift at the diner, night shift as a home caregiver. She comes home exhausted, her shoulders stooped under financial strain. Yet she spares a tired smile for Lily each morning and tucks Zoe into bed at night.
Sarah worries her children’s lives will mirror her own. She forces herself to keep going for Lily’s sake. In quiet moments, she sorts through her husband’s letters, imagining him reading them from some far-off desert.
“Girl, you light up the room,” Sarah often tells Lily—trying to bolster her daughter’s battered self-esteem.
4. James Carter (Dunkin’s best friend)
“Let’s ask Dr. Patel, okay?” James suggested softly, noticing Dunkin’s frustration with the homework.
James is the calm to Dunkin’s storm. He loves numbers and chess, and he listens more than he speaks. When Dunkin’s thoughts spiral, James gently steers him back. His patience eases Dunkin’s worst days.
At school, James avoids the spotlight. He wears thrift-store shirts and deflects compliments with a quiet grin. When he meets Lily, he readily shrugs aside her tattered clothes and treats her like anyone else.
“Funny how the quietest people say the smartest stuff,” James once remarked—showing his respect for those who speak thoughtfully.
5. Mrs. Eastman (Supportive teacher)
“Words matter, Lily,” she said, placing a hand on Lily’s shoulder.
Mrs. Eastman teaches seventh-grade English with warmth and firmness. She notices Lily’s reluctance to speak in class and gently invites her thoughts, praising even her smallest contributions. Lily finds herself daring to raise her hand.
When Lily breaks down under the cafeteria insult, Mrs. Eastman steps in, escorting her to the office and offering tissues and reassurance. She connects Lily with the school counselor and checks in each week.
“Everyone belongs at this table,” Mrs. Eastman tells Lily—reminding her of her inherent worth.
Themes Analysis
1. Belonging and Acceptance
“Lily and Dunkin” explores the universal longing to fit in. Lily hides her shame behind a brave face, while Dunkin masks his struggles with humor. Both feel excluded—one through poverty, the other through a learning difference. Their friendship becomes a refuge where difference feels normal rather than wrong.
The novel shows how a small act of kindness can open a world of acceptance. When Dunkin offers Lily candy, he doesn’t just share a sweet—he extends friendship. In return, Lily writes Dunkin’s essay, proving acceptance can come from mutual support. Their bond affirms that belonging grows where empathy lives.
2. Identity and Self-Worth
Both protagonists wrestle with identity. Lily wonders if her worth depends on her appearance or her clothes. Dunkin fears his diagnosis will define him as “broken.” They learn that labels—rich or poor, diagnosed or undiagnosed—only matter when we let them.
Through Dr. Patel’s guidance and their friendship, Lily and Dunkin discover self-worth arises from strengths, not deficits. Lily’s resilience and Dunkin’s compassion drive them forward. In the end, they write their own identities rather than accepting others’ definitions.
3. Resilience in Adversity
Hardship touches every page of “Lily and Dunkin.” Lily struggles with financial strain and a deployed father; Dunkin faces academic pressure and internal chaos. Yet the story never dwells in despair. Instead, it highlights resilience—small victories that build hope.
When Lily survives a cruel rumor and Dunkin earns his first A, the triumph gleams brighter against their challenges. Their friendship amplifies these successes. The novel suggests that adversity doesn’t define a life; the strength to keep going does.
Key Plot Devices
1. Daddy’s Letters
Lily’s connection to her father rests on his handwritten notes from overseas. Each letter arrives folded into an envelope worn at the edges. They remind Lily of love beyond her crumbling trailer and her mother’s tired reassurance. In scenes where Lily rereads his words, the letters kindle her courage. They push her to face school each morning.
As Lily matures, the letters shift from comfort to challenge. Her father urges her to find kindness in unlikely places. By story’s end, Lily internalizes that message—discovering friendship in Dunkin and self-worth within herself.
2. Dunkin’s Diagnosis
When Dr. Patel diagnoses Dunkin with ADHD, the plot pivots from confusion to clarity. The diagnosis changes how he sees himself and how others treat him. Teachers who once labeled him lazy begin to offer strategies. Dunkin’s journey through medication and coping techniques adds tension: will treatment smooth his path or dim his spark?
Ultimately, the novel shows the diagnosis as neither curse nor cure, but a tool. Dunkin learns to use it wisely—embracing help without surrendering his spontaneity. The device underscores the story’s message that understanding one’s challenges opens doors to growth.
3. Old Oak Tree
The oak tree at the edge of the schoolyard serves as a private haven. Under its wide branches, Lily finds a quiet corner to read and breathe. Dunkin chooses that spot to bridge the gap between their worlds. The tree’s steady presence mirrors their growing friendship.
In the final scenes, the oak holds their celebration of small victories—Lily’s father’s praise and Dunkin’s A in English. As leaves rustle overhead, the tree symbolizes stability amid change. It stands witness to their resilience and hope for the future.