Dani has been waiting to go to school her whole life, and cannot wait for the joys it will bring, such as the friendship of Ella. However, school also brings many unexpected things that Dani isn't sure she is ready to face.

A warm and heartfelt story about Dani's love for her dad and her friendship with Ella. It's a story about sorrow and joy--and how life really is. It's the second-to-last day of school and Dani's so happy she could write a book about it! In fact, that's exactly what she's done, although it's not quite finished yet. Now the book is in her backpack with all the other things she has to take home before the summer break. But then Dani gets some bad news....

While on a trip to the zoo with her class, Dani gets separated from the others and runs into her best friend Ella who is visiting with a class from another school.

It's spring and Dani is going to Rome for her father's wedding. But Ella is not invited; Dad said no. What will Ella think when she learns she hasn't been invited to her best friend's dad's wedding?