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.

"While playing a social game of Cherokee stickball, Vann learns that helping his team win is just as important as being the star player"--

Davey, a blind student, refuses all help from his new classmates, even while playing kickball at recess, until they find a way to help without doing everything for him.

Melanie "Mel" Roberts and Ray Halfmoon may be from different Indigenous Nations, but the friends have become like siblings since their families moved in together. And they soon welcome a distinguished guest: Great-grandfather Bat, whose wing is injured, has taken refuge in their old oak tree. A rematch of the legendary Great Ball Game is coming up, with Bat as the star player. Grampa Charlie Halfmoon offers to drive Bat from Chicago down to the traditional...