An original legend explaining the origin of sea glass, those small pieces of colored glass found and collected on beaches. This tale attributes it to the tears of mermaids, weeping for lives lost at sea.
Delly Porter enjoys the feel of soft dirt beneath her feet as she walks to and from school, but after a classmate makes her feel ashamed of having no shoes she learns that her parents and others, too, see value in things that do not cost money.
Relates the origins of the Jersey Devil, a monstrous creature that has reportedly haunted the Pine Barrens region of New Jersey since 1735 menacing townspeople, worrying livestock, and causing all manner of ills.
"Lizzie loves school more than anything. After starting first grade, she mistakenly thinks it will last a full year and is dismayed when it ends in June. Luckily her first grade teacher applies to teach summer school"--Provided by publisher.