This chapter opens with a letter that Ellie has written to the Editors and Chefs of the New York Times in which Ellie notes that her crowd did not enjoy the Linzer cookies even though they turned out as expected. She then poses the question of how to discern what one’s crowd might like.

Ellie recalls her grandpa taking her fishing when she was little and allowing her to keep one little fish in the bucket that they would eventually return to the lake. She is hopeful that her grandpa will not lose memories like these, though he seems unable to recall that Ellie and her mother are staying for several months.

Ellie’s mom takes her to register at her new school which is much smaller than her previous school. Alice goes in prepared to be Ellie’s advocate, and they learn the Eufaula school has never had to prepare for a student with a physical disability like Ellie’s. Alice, however, feels that the principal will do her absolute best to meet Ellie’s needs. Ellie also learns that she will not be taking the bus, as the bus route does not extend to her grandparents’ house and they do not have a bus with a lift.