Nestled in the grass under the big palm tree by the edge of the desert there is an entire civilization, a civilization of beetles where beetles write books, run restaurants, and even do scientific research. But not too much scientific research is allowed by the elders, who guard a terrible secret about the world outside. Lucy is not one to quietly cooperate, however. This tiny field scientist defies the law of her home and leads a team of researchers out into the desert. Their mission is to discover something about the greater world - but what lies in wait for them is going to change everything. Beetles are not the only living creatures in the world.