Chapter 1 Summary

Sixth-grader Claudia Kincaid wants to run away, but not in the traditional fashion. She doesn't want to run away from something; rather, to something; and decides that the best way to do this is to enlist the help of one of her three brothers and that turns out to be Jamie, a nine-year-old third -grader. The reason she chooses him is simple: he's the one she can trust the most and he's also the one who saves his allowance money better than anyone else.

The reason for Claudia wanting to run away is that she's feeling unappreciated. She is the eldest of four children and the only girl. All of the household chores seem to fall to her and, quite frankly, she's had enough, so in protest, she decides that she's going to run away until her family appreciates her more.

She has...