Hard Pan trilogy

Fearing that her legal guardian plans to abandon her to return to France, ten-year-old aspiring scientist Lucky Trimble determines to run away while also continuing to seek the Higher Power that will bring stability to her life.

The residents of Hard Pan, California, come together to help Brigitte and Lucky when the County Health Department threatens to close down the caf,̌ and meantime Miles's life is complicated by his mother's return.