And Sometimes y: Iowa

Welcome back to Sundog, Minnesota In the three years since their adventures in "The Howling Vowels," Alexa Stevens and her four friends have each grown and changed, but they are still as close as ever. It's April, and they are looking forward to a spring and summer filled with riding horses, playing with dogs, hanging out at the pool and the library, and finishing a big project: making their own movie, complete with music, scenery, and costumes But when a new boy moves to town-a boy who has no friends-will they be able to penetrate his mysterious exterior and welcome him in?

A = Alexa A lover of words, questions, and animals, she is quirky and sprightly and wants to know everything so that she can know the whole story.

E = Eduardo Tall, approachable, and calm, he loves magic, performance, and tales of adventure, and it's easy for him to find common ground with new people.

I = Isabelle Small of stature but great of heart, she is skilled in making beautiful things and committed to speaking up for what is kind and true and reaching out to anyone in need.

O = Otto Likeable and funny, and always in motion, he always means well, but sometimes his foot leaves the stage and ends up in his mouth.

U = Ursula Strong and brave, she returns from ten months on the island of Ireland more daring and determined than ever, filled with passions for horses and steampunk.

"And then there's Y..."

Y = Yves Brooding and sometimes rude, he carries a foreigner's suspicion of this Midwestern town and a battered sense of himself. Will he be his own worst enemy? Or will he break through the confusing signals and oscillating impressions he sends? Will he win new friends?