It's summertime, and everyone on Darcy Lane seems to be holding their breath waiting for the cicadas to emerge, but what twelve-year-old Julia Richards and her best friend, Taylor, want is some real excitement. Which arrives in the form of a new neighbor named Alyssa, who introduces a ball game called Russia ... and an unwelcome level of BFF rivalry.

Rabbit is excited. He is going to surprise his good friend Robot at home. DING DONG! When Robot opens the door, he is surprised. He wasn't expecting Rabbit. In fact, he is already engrossed in a game of checkers with another friend, Ribbit. Now Rabbit is the one who is surprised, and a bit jealous. While Robot thinks everything Ribbit says is humorous, all Rabbit hears is "ribbit." And Ribbit eats flies with her popcorn. Gross! When Rabbit and Ribbit...

"Eleven-year-old Kieran wants to be part of the 'in' group at school. He wants to be on the soccer team. He wants to fit in. But then his weird cousin Bon turns up, both at school and at home. Bon knows nothing about fitting in, with his long blond braid, babyish hand-knit hat, and funny, precise voice. Bon doesn't play sports, and he likes to draw imaginary maps with stories about 'Bon the Crusader' and 'Kieran the Brave.' He's an easy target for...