As further evidence of his family's bad fortune, which he attributes to a curse on a distant relative, Stanley Yelnatsis sent to a torturous correctional camp in the Texas desert where he finds his first real friend, and a treasure.
Cousins Jesse and Daisy always knew they would have a magical adventure, but they are not prepared when the "thunder egg" Jesse has found turns out to be a dragon egg that is about to hatch.
