The Mysterious Growing Gum

Lively, curious, ten-year old, James Herkimer creates a stinky, scary mixture from cooking ingredients and cleaning products. He has no idea how much trouble and commotion he’s caused. He tells his teenage sister, Ann, the concoction is to kill vampires. He convinces her to put a silly, made up curse on it.

James accidentally spills some of the mixture on his chewed gum and discovers its started to grow. Ann is surprised and unsure whether her curse is causing the growth. Mrs. Herkimer finds the gum and puts it in the garage trash can. Soon gum fills almost all the garage. James is frightened about what he’s started and whether it can be stopped.

The local newspapers and TV stations discover the gum. James’ house becomes a frantic scene with endless phone calls and visitors. The neighborhood children are excited and fascinated with the gum. Two young girls set up a lemonade stand at the end of the Herkimer’s driveway. Neighborhood dogs scramble for the popcorn other kids are selling. A large group of reporters completely disrupt the Herkimer’s household. During all this confusion James’ mom receives a threatening phone call demanding his secret formula. Now the gum is growing a bubble. Ann and James are very scared when their dog, Chip, falls into the gum.

James and his family are worried the gum will keep growing and become dangerous. James takes responsibility for what he’s done but still doesn’t know how to stop the gum’s growth. It becomes a life and death situation when James is kidnapped for his gum formula. Ann and Chip become heroes but can James escape? All his courage and creativeness are required. Will the gum ever stop growing? James learns a life lesson about the importance of knowledge and responsibility..