Family life

He was not aware that he ever stopped crying.In his sleep a voice echoed down the long dark barrel of a cannon: You have run out of birthdays. In the morning he awoke suddenly to a flutter of wings.

Birthdays are an obsession where Palmer comes from, but if turning a year older means initiation into a violent practice he despises, he'd rather not. Unfortunately, Palmer cannot stop time any more than he can change tradition. So as this next and most important birthday approaches, Palmer knows that it's now or never. Something must be done.

Living with his little brother, Fudge, makes Peter Hatcher feel like a fourth grade nothing.

Whether he's throwing a temper tantrum in a shoe store, smearing mashed potatoes on the walls at Hamburger Heaven, or scribbling all over Peter's homework, Fudge is never far from trouble. He's a two-year-old terror who gets away with everything - and Peter's had enough.

When "Fudge" walks off with Dribble, Peter's pet turtle, it's the last straw. Peter's put up with Fudge too long. How can he get his parents to pay attention to him for a change?