Summary

In “My White Balloon” Madeline dreams that her house, the balloon protecting her, bursts with her breathing.

In the section “Neighborhood Watch” Madeline lists the schedules of the members of the new family living next door to her. She notes that the father’s activities include drinking heavily and yelling at his family. Olly is the only one who does not have a predictable schedule.

In “I Spy,” Madeline describes the part of Olly’s room that she can see. She notices he goes to the roof often and wonders what he is doing up there. A poster in his room depicts a form a street gymnastics which she believes that Olly practices. She wishes she knew more about him.

In “Menteuse,” Madeline, her mother and Carla have just sat down to enjoy the French meal they...