Summary

The first chapter, titled “The Big Winner,” opens with Peter Warren Hatcher, the novel's narrator, describing a prize he won at Jimmy Fargo's birthday party. He won the prize by guessing how many jelly beans were in a jar. While the other kids at the party got a goldfish, Peter won a turtle in its own small bowl, complete with rocks. It is a small green turtle, and Peter has chosen the name Dribble even before his arrives at home. Peter lives in an apartment at 25 West 68th Street in New York City, directly across from Central Park. The apartment building is older, but it has a cool feature. There is the mirrored elevator which is operated by Henry Bevelheimer. Henry greets Peter by name because he knows all the tenants in the building, He even knows that...