Chapter One:

Take Your Kid to Work Day

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!

It’s not every day a regular kid like me gets to wake up at midnight. But this is no regular day. Today is Take Your Kid to Work Day, and I’m going to ride with Dad in his taxi! Dad works the night shift, so he’s usually awake when I’m asleep and asleep when I’m awake. But not tonight.

I’ve been waiting eight years, eight months, and eight days for this day to arrive. Instead of staring at the maps of the big city taped to my walls, I’ll actually get to go places. Mom likes to keep us close to home, but I’m itching to explore. My little sister, Penny, is the same way. Any open door and she takes off like she’s late for something important.

Mom sticks her head in my room. “Archie Morningstar, aren’t you up yet? Dad’s waiting outside.”

Mom always uses my full name when she wants to make sure I’m paying attention. I wish I had a normal last name that no one would tease me about. The real Morning Star is a nickname for the planet Venus, which is so bright you can still see it as the sun rises. Maybe Morningstar would be a cool name if I lived in the country and could actually see the stars and planets. But here in the city all we can see is bright lights and smog.

I jump out of bed, fully dressed.

She frowns. “Did you even sleep at all? It’s going to be a long night and you don’t want to fall asleep on the job.”

I shake my head. “I was too excited to sleep. But I’m not tired, I promise.” I hurry over to the window. Dad’s yellow taxi gleams under the streetlight. He keeps it really clean, even though it’s old and clunky and most mornings he comes home without any hubcaps on his tires.