Brendan Buckley's headed to middle school, and he has some big questions! Can he keep his new pet anole, Einstein, alive? Will his tough-as-rock Grandpa Ed and sharp-witted grandma, Gladys, butt heads or become friends? Most importantly, what will he propose for the national science competition his class is entering?

Then Brendan's alternative energy idea gets him paired with Morgan Belcher, a talkative, formerly homeschooled girl, whose eyes sparkle whenever Brendan is around. Though skeptical, Brendan decides to give Morgan a chance, and they embark on their project—a methane-producing experiment involving beakers, balloons, and the freshest cow manure they can find.

As Brendan spends more time on the experiment and faces new challenges, his big questions get even bigger: Will he and Khalfani always be best friends? Does Dad really think he's a science-nerd wimp?