Young Joe and Ravi think they have nothing in common. Joe has lived in the same little town his whole life, but recently his best friends moved away, leaving him alone. Ravi and his family just moved there from India, and he just wants to fit in. When the two boys run afoul of the same bully, they discover they do have something in common after all, and scheme together to take control of their lives.

Mason Buttle is the biggest, sweatiest kid in his grade and can barely read or write. Fifteen months ago, Mason's best friend, Benny, was found dead in the Buttle family orchard and as the investigation drags on, Mason can't understand why the police won't believe his story about what happened. When Mason and his new friend Calvin make an underground club space in order to escape the neighborhood bullies, Mason finds himself in even more trouble and...

David Sheldon finds it difficult to pay attention and follow directions. His teacher, Mrs. Gorski, has had enough of David's brainstorms, but David "brainstorms" a way to manage his "wiggle fidgets."

Carolyn has been practicing cursive handwriting, but is frustrated by her lack of success. Her classmate, Stacey Coolidge, has no problem with it, creating more self doubt for Carolyn. Carolyn's teacher finds a way to convince her that creative writing and cursive handwriting are two unrelated skills.

Introduces the mainstream student and educator to the world of the child who struggles academically. The main character discovers her father is dyslexic, as is one of her classmates-- and she tries to make sense of it.