Anticipating the most exciting year of her life at the start of eighth grade, Amelia is perplexed by her peers' fascination with boys, shopping, and hairstyles until she meets friendly newcomer Gerald and begins longing to go to the school dance with him.

Starting her own all-girls mathlete team, Talia, who loves math puzzles and code-breaking, is determined to lead her team to victory while trying to break the social code of preteen life.