Although she is tired of the responsibility of being the oldest sister, Felicity realizes how much her family means to her when a carriage accident puts her pregnant mother in danger. Includes a section on babies in the late 1700s.

Nine-year-old Kirsten keeps her friendship with a Sioux Indian girl a secret until Kirsten's little brother becomes lost in the woods. Includes a section on Sioux Indians and a project related to the story.

When the entire family goes into the hills to collect piñon nuts, Josefina hopes to find the most in order to make Tía Dolores proud of her.

After her brother joins the family in Philadelphia at the end of the Civil War, Addy wants to be with him as much as possible, so she is jealous when he starts spending time with her friend's cousin. Includes information about the life of African Americans in Philadelphia in the 1860s and a recipe for letter cookies.

In colonial Williamsburg, nine-year-old Felicity's dancing skills improve when she changes from wearing clumsy shoes to dainty slippers but ultimately she learns that "Gracefulness is in the foot, not the shoe." Includes information on the education of girls in colonial America, focusing on dance, and presents square dance instructions.

Molly is eager to meet a famous movie star at a War Bond rally, until she cannot find the money that her class had collected to buy a bond. Includes information on movies during World War II and a recipe for popcorn.

Though her parents "jumped the broom" to get married when they were slaves, now that they are living free in Philadelphia after the Civil War they plan to have a church wedding and Addy works to complete a special quilt to give them as a wedding gift.

In the early 1800s, nine-year-old Josefina accompanies her father into the New Mexican mountains to check on the elderly shepherd who works for him, and she proves herself a good traveling companion when her father has an accident.

Molly is sure that she will find the surprise at the end of the overnight nature hike at Camp Gowonagin, but then she finds her own secret surprise.

Addy's jubilation over her family's new freedoms is cut short by the news that President Lincoln has been shot and killed.

In 1824 New Mexico, nine-year-old Josefina is happy when her grandparents and aunt come to visit, but she thinks she must choose between meeting her grandmother's expectations and being true to herself. Includes historical notes on women's rights in New Mexico in 1824 as well as a recipe for apple empanaditas.

In 1933 Cincinnati, Kit is an enthusiastic baseball player whose home run slide has surprising consequences. Includes historical notes on major league baseball and the Cincinnati Reds in the 1930s and provides ideas for decorating a baseball cap.

During a family vacation in 1946, Molly creates a scrapbook of the sights she sees while traveling on Route 66 from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California.

In 1904, while on an ocean voyage from New York to England with her wealthy grandmother, Samantha keeps a scrapbook to chronicle her shipboard adventures.

Ten-year-old Kit dreams of having a special tree house someday, but she is disappointed with the one her father and her friend build for her. Includes note on housing during the Depression and a related craft activity.

Samantha organizes a talent show to support the library, but wonders what her special talent is. Includes historical notes on vaudeville as well as instructions for juggling scarves.