Part 1, Chapter 5 Summary

One morning Joel writes a letter to Aunt Ellen, telling her that he does not like living at the Landing because it is boring and the people are weird. Joel asks for Aunt Ellen's help, even offering up the idea of his attending a military school as a possible solution. When mailing the letter, Joel runs into Zoo and a black man named Little Sunshine, an odd acquaintance of Randolph's. Little Sunshine is known for being an eccentric hermit and has come to deliver a strange necklace to Zoo which is supposed to have magical powers.

Joel proceeds to the Thompkins house and soon hears Little Sunshine calling his name. The two strike up a conversation with Little Sunshine, agreeing to make a charm for Joel to prevent anything bad from happening. The only caveat is that Joel must come to...