Future scientist Madeline Little is dreading the start of middle school. Nothing has been right since her grandfather died and her best friend changed schools. Maddie would rather help her father in his research lab or write Standard Operating Procedures in her lab notebook than hang out with a bunch of kids who aren't even her friends. Despite Maddie's reluctance, some new friends start coming her way-until they discover what she's written in that secret notebook. And that's just part of the trouble. Can this future scientific genius find the formula for straightening out her life?