PENINA LEVINE IS A HARD-BOILED EGG

"She still hasn't gotten over that Easter Bunny letter," said Zozo.
"So what?" said Penina. "If my parents want me to go to Peekskill, what can Ms. Anderson do? Kidnap me?"
"No," said Zozo. "She can't kidnap you, but she can flunk you."

Penina Levine has a bossy best friend, a tattletale sister, crazy parents, and a big, fat zero on her school assignment to write a letter as the Easter Bunny. It was a stupid assignment, completely impossible, totally unfair. Penina's never going to do it―not ever―and it's no use telling her parents about it. They never listen to her anyway. But Penina's grandmother does. Grandma doesn't think Penina should do the assignment. It's a matter of principle. It's a matter of strength. It's a matter of five thousand years of history and a couple dozen hard-boiled eggs.