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When fourth grade ends, Ricky is on his own for the summer because his parents have jobs and his sisters are, well, they're sisters so he's not interested in them. The summer begins on a high note as he begins gathering items left at people's curbsides, things like lawn mowers, baby strollers, old lamps, and appliances.

His plans to build a vehicle go well, and then he starts building a robot. But his plans are interrupted as he rides around the neighborhood one morning and gets jumped by Mike. Mike beats up Ricky, leaving him bloody and his bike in ruins. Fearing his father's reaction to the wrecked bike and his mother's reaction to his torn and bloody clothing, Ricky hides both and secretly works on repairing his bike.

His relationship with his father is confusing for Ricky as he tries to please him but just cannot seem to do so. Ricky's father is equally confused by their relationship. The summer meanders through other adventures, including a recurring nightmare in which Ricky, a skinny kid, is flushed down the toilet. Catastrophe follows disaster as Ricky works to keep his summer secrets from his parents, fearing they will get a babysitter to keep watch over him if they know some of the many things that have been going on.