Jeff rescues a dog fleeing from a gang of mean kids. He wants to keep it, but his father calls the animal shelter and has the dog picked up. Jeff eventually convinces his father to visit the shelter. Jeff is impressed with the facilities and is happy to meet the girl who has just adopted "his" dog. His dad promises him a dog when they move into their new house.
Maria and Mrs. Duff are good friends, but Mrs. Duff lives across town. One day when Maria goes to Mrs. Duff's house, she becomes curious about Mrs. Duff as a little girl. By e-mail, Maria asks Mrs. Duff many questions about her life. Then she collects all of the stories and puts them together in a book for Mrs. Duff.
In this play, Samantha's friend Jennifer always tells the truth, even when it hurts others' feelings. Samantha writes Jennifer a letter explaining her hurt feelings and suggesting other ways to be honest and kind when sharing opinions. Samantha learns that Jennifer did not realize she was hurting anyone's feelings.
In this science-fiction story, two sisters join their family on a vacation to the planet Coron. The girls meet an alien boy there who provides them with devices that automatically translate their languages, allowing them to communicate. The devices also allow them to hear the whispers of strange, bug-like creatures. The children determine that the creatures are asking for help in leaving the planet, and the alien boy is able to help them.
Joe loves to draw superhero cartoon characters. He decides to draw Wonder Kid, a boy superhero who lives on Plunkett Street. Joe and his friends witness a bully picking on a small boy named Tony. Joe draws different ways the Wonder Kid could help Tony, but when Tony runs into the street in front of a bus to get away from the bully, Joe knows that it is he, not Wonder Kid, who must do something. Joe lets the school principal know what has been happening so that both Tony and the bully can get help.
