Oscar, Riley and Noah meet in their introduction to clay class. Oscar and his family are grieving his little sister's death from cancer. Noah's parents are divorced and he decides to not be homeschooled anymore although he is far more advanced than the kids in school. Riley's mother moved them back to West Beacon for a fresh start after being robbed at gunpoint in Philadelphia. As different as all three are, they end up bonding and becoming good friends who support each other. The dialogue is whipsmart and funny and there is an easy comfort to the portrayal of their friendship. ( )