Recently arrived in Seattle from China, musically untalented Yingtao is faced with giving a violin performance to attract new students for his father when he would rather be working on friendships and playing baseball.
On the leaving morning, a child watches for the moving men, has a cup of cocoa in the deli across the street, and leaves lip marks on the window of the apartment before departing for the new home.
Sixth grader Samantha finds a way to cope with her difficulties in adjusting to a new stepfather, a new home and a new school when she makes friends with the unconventional Jasmine and learns to ride a horse.
Unhappy about her family's upcoming move, twelve-year-old Emma wishes for a friend and is suddenly confronted with a spoiled, lonely girl transported from the 1850s by a mysterious doll.