Readers on the cusp of adolescence will find much to love in this novel by the author of the beloved MR. TERUPT series, that follows twin siblings Loretta and Waylon, and new friend Louie, the summer before middle grade, as they embark on a series of adventures which also prove to be life lessons in the making! Loretta and her twin brother, Waylon, are headed to middle school. Loretta has always been quick with her fists and her wits. Since Waylon is on the small side, Loretta doesn’t let anyone mess with him. But now she worries he won’t survive without her by his side. Her secret plan: bulk him up with muscle over the summer. Little does she know that Waylon has a plan of his own. He’ll show his sister he can take care of himself. As each puts their strategy in motion, Loretta and Waylon spend the summer going into the woods behind their house, even sneaking there late at night. That’s where they first encounter Louie. Louie is homeschooled, he explains, when Loretta gives him the third degree. Loretta, Waylon, and Louie fall into a comfortable friendship and continue their nightly forest adventures. When they unearth a mysterious box, the past collides with the present, propelling the trio on a quest that will forever change their lives. ★ "Bravely tackles self-confidence, loss, and depression with the care these topics deserve.... An engaging, fun-filled title with heart." — School Library Journal , starred review “Buyea uses [the twins’] heartfelt alternating perspectives . . . to thoughtfully explore change, transition, and complicated familial histories.” — Publishers Weekly Rob Buyea is a former teacher and the author of the Mr. Terupt series, The Perfect Score series, and What Comes Next . As a young boy, he spent countless hours exploring the woods. He is a true country-music fan, as are his wife and children, though they won’t admit it. 1 Loretta A Girl Named Loretta   So much happened over the summer, but some things never change. If you’ve got a problem with my name, we’re gonna take it outside. You’ll shut your mouth after I get done slapping the stupid out of you. That’s still the same. It’s not like I don’t know Loretta is an old-lady name. My father happens to be a huge fan of classic country music, okay, and Loretta Lynn was one of the queens of country back in the day, a real icon, a true inspiration, so I was supposed to be honored. Well, I’ve got news for you. When you spend your life dealing with people making comments about your name, it’s hard to feel that way--cursed was more like it. My overly agreeable mother was just as much to blame as my father. She let Dad have his way because it was either that or she worried he’d try naming my twin brother Sue. If you don’t get that joke, it’s because you haven’t been tortured by the same music as me. Johnny Cash, aka the Man in Black, another country music icon, had a famous song called “A Boy Named Sue.” Give it a listen. It’s all about how a father naming his son Sue made the kid tough because of the obvious harassment the boy had to endure for the rest of his life. If it sounds ridiculous, that’s because it is, but don’t laugh. By naming me Loretta, my father achieved the same outcome. I had no choice but to sharpen my fists. Anyways, long story short, I got tagged with Loretta and my brother got stuck with Waylon. Mom thought a modern name like Matthew or Nathan didn’t go well with Loretta, so she picked a throwback for my brother too. Dad was thrilled because Waylon Jennings happened to be yet another country music icon, but Mom didn’t choose Waylon to please my father. She did it because it was her grandfather’s name--my great-grandfather--and he was somebody Mom loved. (More on him later.) Unfortunately, the name Waylon didn’t do anything to help make my brother tough--far from it--but that was okay because I had his back. My brother had been born smaller and weaker than me, so I owed him that much. Say something about me and we’ll take it outside; mess with Waylon and I’ll stuff your head up your rear end. You think I’m all talk? Just ask Leon Hurd.   2 Waylon A Boy Named Waylon   My mother is a veterinarian, so she’s very knowledgeable about animals. She claimed I was an armapossum, which is the combination of an armadillo and an opossum. She reached this conclusion for two main reasons: (1) I’m on the smaller size, fifth percentile for my height and fourth for my weight, and (2) I’ve got thick skin--like the armadillo. I didn’t let teasing bother me. When kids tried to pick on me, I just ignored them--similar to how an opossum plays dead. It was a solid strategy. Eventually, the bad guys left me alone. Disclaimer: Being an armapossum only worked if Loretta wasn’t around, which wasn’t often since we’re twins. My sister was a wolf. But not just any wolf. She was the alpha wolf, quick to protect her pack--me--and not afraid of anything. If she was anywhere nearby when the teasing or bullying began, she put an end to it in a h