Russo, Marisabina

Becoming more and more annoyed as her brother Ben counts down the days until his birthday, Molly considers refusing to take part in the celebration.

Even though Alex is a dwarf and sometimes has to use a wheelchair because of the operation he had on his back, his friend does not mind because they still have good times together.

Hannah, who is sure that the new baby in her family is going to be a girl, eagerly looks forward to having a little sister.

As she helps her older sister and brother get dinner started, a young girl looks forward to spending time with her mother when she gets home from work.

Through a series of triumphs and tragedies at home, at school, and on the basketball court, plus time reluctantly spent with his elderly grandmother, twelve-year-old Jim Malone learns that there is a lot more to life than basketball.

Sam lines up blocks, books, boots, cars, and other objects, all the way from his room to his mother in the kitchen.

Despite his older sister's dire warnings of all the terrible things that could go wrong on his first day in the second grade, Ben has a wonderful time.