Spinelli, Jerry

The lives of four young people in different circumstances are changed by their encounters with books.

Twins Jake and Lily have a very close relationship, but when they turn eleven, their parents give them separate bedrooms and Jake begins to spend time with a group of neighborhood boys. Lily is devastated as she struggles to make friends, and Jake is faced with a bully.

Even though his classmates from first grade on have considered him strange and a loser, Daniel Zinkoff's optimism and exuberance and the support of his loving family do not allow him to feel that way about himself.

A puppy describes the things he likes to do with his father, including making music, baking cookies, and fixing things.

Thirteen-year-old Maisie joins her school's formerly all-male wrestling team and tries to last through the season, despite opposition from other students, her best friend, and her own teammates.