THE CIRCLE RHODES QUARTET Welcome to a world without gravity. A massive explosion from the sun grips the Earth's magnetic field as it passes, causing the Earth's rotation rate to increase. The faster speed creates the effect of a merry-go-round, and as a result, anything freestanding suddenly floats up in the air in a sudden, terrifying rush. Millions perish in the terrifying ascent. Two of the survivors are Ruth and Steven Rhodes, two M.I.T. graduates, and their small child, Circle. Circle comes of age in the air, a world of chaos, instability, and uncertainty. Follow Circle in his journey in the sky, across the world, and through his life in a world that is up in the air, but where people long to be grounded. BOOK 1: A WORLD WITHOUT GRAVITY The Rhodes journey to Houston, Texas, because Ruth has heard rumors that people from NASA are meeting to discuss how to return to the ground. Here the Rhodes meet Gabriel Martinez and his math genius daughter, Rosario, who becomes Circle's friend. The Houston community has developed floating gardens, large pieces of hovering land that allow people to grow fresh food. The gardens create conflict, however, because a man named Mr. Butler creates an armed force that takes over the gardens. In order to remain free in the air, the Rhodes and the NASA community must eventually take a stand.