Studious fifth grader Elfie Oster yearns for a place where her academic devotion and drive for perfection are appreciated so she’s thrilled when she earns a scholarship to the prestigious Hampshire Academy. Unfortunately, on the first day Ellie’s good intentions get her in trouble with a legacy student and she finds herself back at her old school, Cottonwood Elementary where she’s never really fit in or had friends. And then it gets worse. The babysitter she loves and can communicate with gets really sick and her aunt and uncle aren’t getting along. As time passes though, she begins to realize she’s not the only person experiencing hardship and unfairness, and learns that community and supporting your family and friends are much more important than getting perfect grades. Is it possible that this terrible, horrible year may just be the best thing that’s ever happened to Ellie? A delightful story about finding the silver lining in any situation that will certainly resonate with middle grade readers.