Darius Littlejohn is a "smart cookie," but he’s about to face his toughest test yet.
Darius has it all figured out: he’s the reigning spelling bee champ, a math whiz, and an aspiring veterinarian. But when he is chosen for ALOFT—a special program for gifted students—his world is turned upside down. To attend, he has to leave his friends at Serene Elementary every Tuesday and head to a brand-new school.
Between the fear of being "the only one" on the bus and the dread of missing out on "Science Wizz" explosions at home, Darius’s anxiety is at an all-time high. With his bear, Buddy, tucked secretly in his backpack, Darius must find the courage to step into the unknown. Will he spend his Tuesdays alone, or is a big surprise waiting for him just up the bus steps?