Wendy was always being forgetful. She never turns off lights or the TV, and always leaves the fridge open when searching for a snack. When her mom tells here that is like throwing money down the drain Wendy finally thinks she understands. She starts to empty the money from her piggy bank down the drain until her mom explains that was just a figure of speech.
The narrator of this story idolizes his older brother. But when big brother leaves for the army, the narrator tries his best to fill big brother's shoes for his younger brother.
The Socksnatcher family is secretly living in the Perkins family's cellar. They rely upon the Perkin's smelly socks to add flavor to their soup. But the cat has discovered their secret hiding place!
At least one sibling in each family shown in this book has a disability. And like all siblings they play, squablle, and work together to solve their differences.
Anna is never on any team at school. But she is determined to be part of the annual wreath-laying team at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington. Not until the end of the story do readers discover that Anna is blind.
Amiqqaq is excited when his family catches a bowhead whale. As his family prepares to celebrate the traditional Iñupiaq whaling feast, Amiqqaq learns about the spirit-of-the-whale.
