With ears like a bat and webbed toes, it seems as if ten-yearold Jake could fly right out of reality into the freedom of his dreams. No more worries about asthma, special reading class, or his parents' fighting--just sky. But Jake can't simply fly away. There's his little sister, Cassie, to tell stories to when the night sounds become frightening, amazing facts to learn from his best friend Luke, and a safe place--Dragon's Nest--to build in the backyard.

This beautifully written middle grade novel tells the courageous story of Jake--a night watchman--a protector in the truest sense of the word who finds hope in crickets, friends, teachers, and dreams.

Priding himself on not doing his homework or ever losing a fight, Toby Scudder starts sixth grade planning to rule the school, but sixth grade presents him with some tough situations that he can't bully his way through. "Gifaldi's characterizations are first-rate. . . . The funny, fresh dialogue will entertain readers." -- School Library Journal, starred review