Meet Ratio Holmes! He's not really the great, great grandson of the fictional character Sherlock Holmes, but all the other kids seem to think he is. Now he's a detective whether he likes it or not. Still, he's creative, good at thinking through facts, and has a wicked smart best friend, Jinju. Together, they might make great detectives after all! B. Hanfell is the fourth grade bully and really likes Ratio's newly detailed bike. But when, Ratio keeps...

When money becomes tight in the McNair household, James forms a local gang of kids who steal the things they want from the local stores, while his cousin Greg is working hard for the money to buy things.

As a class assignment, Delia keeps a journal and records her life and her fantasies about the Italian exchange student Giulio, who also happens to be Brady's boyfriend. And, oh, by the way, Brady is Delia's best friend.

James resents having to repeat the sixth grade in a class which includes his younger cousin Greg, so he turns to cheating to keep up with the work.