The death of her abusive, manipulative older sister prompts seventeen-year-old Em to remember their unpleasant life together, with their parents and then later on their own.

The very special relationship between Jenny and her grandfather leads to tragedy when Jenny's parents want to place the old man in a home for senior citizens.

Ten-year-old Sprig no longer gets along with her twelve-year-old sister, Dakota, but the two pull together during their father's extended business trip to Afghanistan, sharing concerns about his safety, an elderly neighbor's health, fights with their best friends, and boys.

With the help of her best friend, eighth-grader Emily Boots begins to come to terms with her parents' divorce.

Fourteen-year-old Terri remembers only life with her father, but then she discovers that he kidnapped her from her mother after a divorce and that her mother is still alive.