Libby Lacewing lives on an apple orchard nestled in the Midwest. She and her family help remove apple-harming, sap-sucking pests from the apple trees. As spring approaches, Libby hopes for her first real lasso so she can join the older aphid wranglers. Libby is disappointed when she gets leaf boots and a cowboy hat, but no lasso. It looks like another season of netting stragglers with the younger lacewings. Then Libby's grandfather asks her to take five aphids across Sap River. Libby is sure she's ready. But suddenly Libby's stomach is as quivery as a rattlesnake. What if she loses all the aphids? When things go wrong, Libby's good friend, Oliver, is there to help. Third Place Winner (short story version) of the 86th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition.