When Ruby's cousin Flying Duck emigrates from China to live with her,
Ruby decides the best thing about Flying Duck is that she is a great new
friend. BUT the worst thing about Flying Duck is that now, no one speaks
English at home. Plus, there's strange food on the table every night and
only chopsticks to eat it with. And Flying Duck is deaf, and Ruby
doesn't know any Chinese Sign Language.
As if that weren't enough, this summer proves to be even more perilous
as Ruby faces the dangers of swimming lessons, the joys of summer
school, the difficulty of staying with a twelve-step program, the
miracle needed to keep a beautiful stray dog that wanders into her life,
and much more. Is it all too much for anyone -- even the Empress of
Everything -- to handle?