Of all the places on earth a meteor could have fallen, it landed smack-dab in the middle of the Gaw family?s front yard, setting off a wave of gossip, excitement, and superstition that transforms their small farming community. The residents of Union City become convinced that the fallen star in their midst has a magical effect upon them, making them very special indeed. The ensuing "carnival of meteoric events" delightfully illustrates the potential of a community united by a common belief in its collective worth.