Jake and Lily

For almost as long as they can remember, Jake and Lily have shared a "special sense".

But their bond seems to be weakening as, at age 11, Jake starts spending more time with new friends than with Lily; upset and rejected, Lily has no one to confide in except her grandfather.

Lily tries to find out who she is without her brother, but it's hard work.

Her feeling of abandonment is as sharply felt as Jake's need to test his independence.

Spinelli celebrates each child's individualism and growing self-awareness.