According to Claire’s dad, every day is a Grand Adventure. There might be a spaceship buried in the backyard, or a ghost in the basement, or a troll king who spies through the pipes. Claire used to love these stories, especially tales about her long-absent mom. But now that she’s twelve...

Twelve-year-old Jessie is in for a long summer at her aunt and uncle’s house. Her cousin Ann has a snotty new best friend, which leaves Jessie all alone. She convinces Wes, a grouchy neighborhood dog walker, to take her on as his apprentice....

Twelve-year-old Jessie is in for a long summer at her aunt and uncle’s house. Her cousin Ann has a snotty new best friend, which leaves Jessie all alone. But Jessie is industrious, and—not content with being ignored all summer—she convinces Wes, a grouchy neighborhood dog walker, to take...