Riding in the back seat of her family's aging station wagon, lanky Quincy Rumpel fends off the antics of her two pesky siblings, Morris and Leah, on the way to the clan's new home on the West Coast. When they arrive, further challenges await - namely the Rumpel relations, including young Guinevere Rumpel, who whips up pancakes with ease and has perfect skin, admirable manners, and, most agonizing of all, wonderfully curly hair. Luckily there's no time to be envious, what with the beach and other adventures at hand. Before long, Quincy and company are exploring the new house inside and out, bursting through the bedroom ceiling with a shower of plaster, administering a botched hair permanent, and generally running amok. Sunburns to pierced ears, Quincy Rumpel is a whimsical jaunt. Readers will relate to the minor tragedies Quincy faces as she adjusts to a new home, makes friends, and gets ready for school to begin. Meanwhile, Mr. Rumpel decides to diversify his investments by cultivating mushrooms in the garage. Life in the Rumpel household may be unpredictable, but it's never dull.