Ten-year-old Julia Gillian's best friend is keeping secrets, their beloved lunch lady was replaced by a tyrant, and trumpet lessons prove difficult, making it hard for her to follow the music teacher's advice to "look for the joy."
While trying to cope with more school work, including an assignment in her least favorite subject, reading, a sixth-grade girl faces her toughest challenge as her beloved dog--and lifelong companion--nears the end of his life.
