The story takes place in 1992 in a quiet, fictional town named Littlewood and is narrated by Laura, a 12-year-old girl. Like many children her age, Laura absolutely despises mathematics, viewing it as a stressful, confusing chore. Her worldview is challenged by her mysterious neighbors, the elderly Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell. In Littlewood, the couple is surrounded by wild town rumors—some peopl…