One of the Third Grade Thonkers — Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Jimmy Novak is excited about spring vacation. He and his club, the "Rough, Tough, and Terrible" Thonkers, are planning to turn the Novaks' garage into a clubhouse for the whole week. But everything changes when Jimmy's cousin David comes to stay after his mother's surgery. Jimmy and the Thonkers are brave, and David is scared of everything.

Jimmy thinks David will ruin the Thonkers' secret plans. Then something happens on the river--something that helps Jimmy learn the real meaning of courage.