contests

South Carolina high school senior Nat has worked hard to put her trailer-park past behind her, and when she and her boyfriend are crowned Palmetto Prince and Princess everything would be perfect, except that a prank they played a few nights before went horribly awry.

Twelve-year-old Gil Goodson competes against thousands of other children at extraordinary puzzles, stunts, and more in hopes of a fresh start for his family, which has been ostracized since his father was falsely accused of embezzling money from Golly Toy and Game Company.

Sisters Kalia and Mariama Jefferson do not agree on much, but when an "American Idol" style singing competition is announced they both know Kalia should enter, not realizing the strain the contest is going to put on everyone involved.

Airy Fairy, known for being accident-prone, becomes worried when the Chief Inspector of Schools challenges Fairy Gropplethorpe to hold a competition to find the academy's fittest fairy.

"Joss Kendrick is always looking for new ways to soar. So when her cheer team needs a new flyer, she can't wait to step up (literally). Her high-flying skills on her surfboard and skateboard make her a natural for the role. But when her skateboarding act at the talent show turns into a total catastrophe--make that a dog-tastrophe--Joss loses her confidence all around, even at the cheer gym. A big cheer competition is coming up fast, though, and her team is depending on her to nail a tricky stunt. If only Joss could trust them not to drop her. She wants to do an easier stunt, but if she plays it safe, can her team still win? And if they don't, will her team ever forgive her?"--Back cover.

"Catching waves on her board, Joss Kendrick is all in, 100%. When the surf's up, she pops out her hearing aid, hops on her board and paddles out to the lineup. Joss is stoked to enter a surfing video contest with her friend Sofia and Murph, the surfing bulldog. If she can master a killer aerial like the frontside air and get her brother Dylan to catch it on video, maybe she'd even have a shot at winning. But Dylan throws her a curve: he dares her to try out for the cheer team. No way--Joss can't see herself as a cheerleader . . . She's 100% surfer girl, and Dylan knows it! Still, if she takes him up on his dare, then maybe he'll help her with the video . . . It's worth a try, right?"--Back cover.

Entering his beagle, Lucy, in a contest to be "spokespet" for Pet-O-Rama helps shy, nine-year-old Bobby get over his anxiety about speaking in front of groups of people, from his third-grade classmates to the contest judges.

Goldie Bell competes in Queen Titania's Fancy-Dress Party on the Mainland and needs to overcome various obstacles without the support of her sisters.

Frankie Sparks is excited about her town's team sled design contest but while she knows a lot about building a sled, she has much to learn about building a team. Includes information on the design process and a challenge.

Hot Rod Hamster is invited to a Halloween party, and he enlists the help of a group of ghosts to win the spookiest costume contest.