In Tanzania, Bernardi's mute grandfather makes him a wonderful music box and then helps him realize his dream of owning a soccer ball and going to school.
Through an heirloom music box, Leo, a serious, responsible boy, and his badly-behaved cousin Mimi enter the magical world of Rondo to rescue Mimi's dog from a sorceress, who wishes to exchange him for the key that allows free travel between worlds.
Mary Anne and the Baby-sitters Club investigate the mystery behind some strange things that have been happening since Mary Anne brought home a music box she found behind a secret panel in her grandparent's basement.
Ella Bella's ballet teacher is preparing the class for their performance of "The Nutcracker" and Ella dreams of dancing the lead and meeting all the characters in the ballet.
The notes of an old music box connects two girls from very different worlds--Clara, who struggles to survive poverty and violence in a troubled city, and Claire, whose ordinary life is beset by grief--in a place where neither can be sure what is real.
