Fourteen year old Sal is shocked to see a huge lump traveling around his belly. Mom is horrified. His belly button explodes. They rush to the ER where the doctor is rather casual about the diagnosis. "The Exploding Belly Button" is one of 13 short stories in this collection for middle graders. Sweet, gross, horrifying, surprising, fun--it's all there for the reader who likes variety in his/her short reads. Historical fiction, fan fiction, memoir-all kinds for the curious reader. It's a "Baker's dozen" that will leave you wanting more.