In this final book in the series, the seventh graders of McQuarrie Middle School and their Star Wars-inspired Origami finger puppets go on a field trip to Washington, D.C., on what proves to be a very long trip full of shifting alliances, betrayals, carsickness, and sugar rushes.

"A little girl begins a happy bus outing with her beautiful red balloon. But when the balloon suddenly flies away, the bus driver and a passenger bear gallantly help follow the balloon. A wild chase begins and along the way a rabbit, a polar bear, a penguin, and a giraffe all join in to help as they follow the wayward balloon. And when a bird pecks the balloon with its beak, the result makes all their effort seem in vain, but the little girl's new...

"Nature is a capricious architect. One wonders what mood she was in, that time she invented chipmunks. Whatever temper inspired her, it was decided that, on completion of their seventh week, all chipmunks must leave their mother and set out on their own into the big unknown. But Nature's fickle moods change faster than the weather, and if pride won't ever let her go back on her decisions, conscience would always prompt her to make up for her shortcomings....

Anna Hibiscus is going to Grandmother and Grandfather's village. They travel by bus through plantations, farms, and even the rain forest! Life in the village has changed very little, but Anna Hibiscus might just do something about that!--Page [4] of cover.