Kiko is from Japan and is visiting Maria's family in Texas. Maria's birthday is soon, and she wants a pinata. The family teaches Kiko how to make a piñata, but Kiko wants to make something special for Maria. On Maria's birthday, Kiko gives her an origami bird--and she will also teach Maria how to make one.
Maria is moving to California, and her best friend Emma feels like it is the end of the world. The story compares and contrasts the responses of the two girls to this upsetting but inevitable event. In the end, the girls promise to write to each other.
While playing at his great-grandmother's home, a young boy attempts to carry a wagon full of sand through the house. The great-grandmother catches him in the act and is pleasantly reminded of the time when his mother tried to do the same thing at a young age. The great-grandmother shares this fond memory with her grandson, understanding that sharing special memories is one way that we can give to others.
Mosi wants to buy a special book for his new baby brother, Pili. Despite Mosi's efforts to earn money doing chores around the house, he still does not have enough to afford the book. Instead of giving up, Mosi figures out a way to share this special gift with Pili without spending any money.
The Tigers have made it to the baseball finals. Zack and Daniel are best friends and sit on the sidelines--it's Zack's first year, so he hasn't gotten to play a lot. The game is tied, and the coach asks Daniel to pitch. Zack helps calm Daniel's nerves, and the team goes on to win the game. Zack even gets to bat!
Ryan and Leslie have been asked to take care of their aunt's cats while she is away. During one of their trips to feed and play with the cats, they accidentally hit the aunt's cuckoo clock with a toy. Ryan and Leslie take responsibility for their mistake and work hard around the house to earn enough money to fix the clock.
Lisa and her family are on their way home from a family reunion. At a restaurant, Lisa sees a gumball machine and needs a quarter to buy a gumball. She counts all the coins her family members give her and has enough for a gumball, which she buys and then gives to her grandmother. Because Lisa was so nice, her grandfather gives her another twenty-five cents to buy a gumball for herself.
