A boy who spent three days trapped in a well tries to overcome his PTSD and claustrophobia so he can fulfill his dream of becoming a famous chef in Andrew Smithâs first middle grade novel.
When he was four years old, Sam Abernathy was trapped at the bottom of a well for three days, where he was teased by a smart-aleck armadillo named Bartleby. Since then, his parents plan every move he makes.
But Sam doesnât like their plans. He doesnât want to go to MIT. And he doesnât want to skip two grades, being stuck in the eighth grade as an eleven-year-old with James Jenkins, the boy heâs sure pushed him into the well in the first place. He wants to be a chef. And heâs going to start by entering the first annual Blue Creek Days Colonel Jenkins Macaroni and Cheese Cook-Off.
That is, if he can survive eighth grade, and figure out the size of the truth that has slipped Samâs memory for seven years.