Annie Richards use to be the most adventurous girl in her neighborhood. Now she won't get on her bike without a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and ace badges for her ankles. Annie will only ride her bike in "turtle races" where the winner is the slowest. Why is Annie so fearful and overly cautious? Her older brother, Jared, died from an undiagnosed heart ailment last year, and Annie and her parents have not been the same. Annie's overly cautious behavior is beginning to cause problems with her friends. It takes a new neighbor mourning her husband's death and spider and pig from Charlotte's Web to help close Annie's umbrella of sadness. The kids in this book act and speak like real children. The story deals with the death of a loved one with compassion and understanding.