Plagued by headaches and nightmares, Tomomi tries to make sense of her grandmother's death, her little brother's obsession with saving sick and abandoned cats, and her fear that she is becoming a monster.
Examines the role grandparents play in various countries, including Iraq, Canada, the United States, China, Swaziland, Ecuador, and Italy, discussing their position as the elders in their cultures.
When her quirky grandmother goes to Hawaii for the summer, nine-year-old Ruby learns to survive on her own in Mississippi by writing letters, befriending chickens as well as the new girl in town, and finally coping with her grandfather's death.
Staying with her grandparents over the summer while her parents are on tour for their latest book, eleven-year-old Maebelle struggles to find her true talent and tries to compete with her newly adopted African American cousin.
Despite a tornado warning, Wiley and Grampa go to Colonel Dracula's Monster Truck Spectacular, where they run into trouble and have to count on a disapproving Gramma for help.
When Callie goes to sixth grade at a private school the year her grandmother dies, she is embarrassed that her family sells Christmas trees, until her grandfather helps her learn the value of family and traditions.
