Jessie, an elderly calligrapher who writes announcements and notices of birth, marriage, and death for the townsfolk, discovers that she has the ability to predict the future in her writings.
While trying to earn money for a motor bike, fourteen-year-old Joe Pederson becomes involved with the Mexicans who work on his family's farm and develops a better relationship with his father.
A very poor, humble couple live so simple a life they share everything, until the husband discovers a pot with magical powers buried under the very last potato in the garden.
Despite a great summer job as first mate on a fishing boat out of Martha's Vineyard, thirteen-year-old Ben gets caught up with illegal drugs and possible murder.
Twelve-year-old Lucas Whitaker, orphaned in 1849 when his entire family is claimed by consumption, takes a job as an apprentice with Doc Beecher, and learns the truth about the difference between superstition and science.
