In Indiana in 1909, Callie finds that she must grow up quickly when death and other hardships leave her alone on the family farm with her ailing grandfather Opa.
Benjy's childhood in rural Arkansas is enriched by the special times he spends with his grandfather, but it is not until his grandfather's death that an old family secret is revealed.
After years in foster homes, Jordy Threebears returns to live on a Blackfoot reservation with his grandfather whom he hardly knows, and finds his anger and resentment being overcome by the gift of a wild mare.
When his grandfather becomes ill, a silent, solitary boy is taken in by a large foster family where he discovers his own feelings and new ways of relating to others.
Though they still listen to baseball and go fishing, Thomas and his grandfather find life in their small house in Florida changed when Great-aunt Linzy comes to stay.