Boyd, Candy Dawson

Jessie develops self-esteem as she proves to herself and to her father that she can succeed both academically and personally at a performing arts middle school.

When he enters fifth grade after his mother's remarriage, Joey has trouble adjusting to his new teacher and to his new stepfather.

Spunky eleven-year-old Charlie hopes to understand her rigid father by finding out everything she can about the Vietnam War, the war that let him survive but killed his dreams.

Ten-year-old Mattie copes with the loss of her father and her mixed feelings towards her mother who is under pressure to support the family.