Heartwarming / American Girls Collection

Kaya (1764)

• Kaya being comforted by her grandmother Aalah, after being called "Magpie" for a reckless action that got the whole village's children a switching, where Aalah told her that her nickname was "Finger Cakes" because she was caught taking some finger cakes from her big brother's shoulder bag.
• Kaya riding with her father Toe-ta, where he talked with her about the first time his father put him on a horse, he tells her this so she'll know that no one was born knowing how to ride and every horse just needs respect.
• Kaya's relationship with Speaking Rain and her older biological sister Brown Deer.
• Kaya befriending Two Hawks and her family vowing to take him in before they're able to return him to his tribe.
  • Toe-ta comforting Kaya, telling her that it isn't her fault that she and Speaking Rain were taken captive and he's grateful she's alive and well.
  Toe-ta: Let us give thanks to Hun-ya-wat that you're with us again!
  • Speaking Rain's Heroic Sacrifice, letting Kaya know that one of them needs to escape and it isn't possible for herself to go with Kaya.
• Swan Circling comforting Kaya and befriending her.
• Kaya helping Two Hawks onto a horse, it was enough for him to forget about his broken ankle.
• A medicine man speaks at Swan Circling's funeral, where he praised her for her courage, generosity, and strength.
• Swan Circling, before her death, had granted Kaya her name, noting how she is confident the younger girl will grow to be trustworthy and strong.
• Kaya receiving moral support from her family counts as this: the poor girl went through a lot.
• Kaya befriending Lone Dog and being entrusted with the pups.
  • Lone Dog ends up fighting a bear that was to attack one of Kaya's mischievous younger brothers and her pups and she and the family dog Snow Paws befriend one another.
  • When Lone Dog leaves, she has her pup Tatlo become Kaya's dog and a dog that will help Kaya find Speaking Rain at that too!
• Two Hawks being re-united with his Uncle; at dinner, the Uncle vows that he and the men from the Salish tribe will look for Speaking Rain as a gesture of thanks.
• Kaya and her family's reunion with Speaking Rain.
  • Speaking Rain's relationship with White Braid, a Salish woman who found SR after she was abandoned by her captors; then later, an arrangement worked out for SR to see White Braid while staying with her family.
• Brown Deer, Kaya's sister, getting married to her betrothed Cut Cheek.
• Kaya's reunion with Steps High, and the horse's own foal, Sparks Flying.
• The end, where Kaya rides Steps High into the sun with the foal and her pup Tatlo.
• The Silent Stranger has a few:
  • Anytime the stranger starts revealing more and more of herself and her name, Hawk Rising.
  • Kaya sending Tatlo off to Hawk Rising and her newly-found baby.
  • Kaya finally getting Swan Circling's name.

Felicity (1774)

• Meet Felicity
  • After her 1st attempt to free Penny was botched, Mr. Merriman comforts her after she asks if it was all for nothing.
    "No, Felicity, my dear," said Father. "It is never wrong to try to earn something you love. Indeed, 'tis only wrong not to try. You hoped for something and you put hard work behind your hope. I can only be proud of a daughter who can do that."
  • Ben and Felicity becoming friends and the conversation they share after freeing Penny.
    "Aye," said Felicity. "But I hope she doesn't feel I've abandoned her. That would break my heart. She knows I love her, doesn't she Ben?"
    "She knows," said Ben seriously. "She knows you love her so much you let her go free. You gave her what she needed most--her independence."
• Felicity Learns a Lesson has Felicity wrestling with continuing the tea portion of her lessons, her Father joining the boycott, and with Elizabeth being too afraid to stand up to the disdainful Loyalist Annabelle. Felicity worries it'd be rude to turn down the tea out of loyalty to her father and Mrs. Merriman dispenses some wisdom and loving approval by using sewing and embroidery as a metaphor.
  "Now that is a difficult knot to untangle," said Mrs. Merriman. "You must be well-mannered but follow your heart. You must be polite but do what you think is right." She lowered Felicity's head onto the pillow gently. "Rest now and think about it. I trust you will find a way. You have become quite a gracious young lady these past few weeks." She kissed Felicity's forehead and left quietly.
• In Felicity's Surprise, Felicity's mother is very ill after having a baby (in the film) or overworking herself (in the book) and unable to finish the blue ball gown Felicity wants so badly. What's sweet is that Felicity's best friend Elizabeth and Elizabeth's mother help to finish the dress. What is utterly heartwarming is that snobby, disdainful Annabelle also helped to finish it, and Ben also helped by sneaking the dress out of the house, getting it to the Coles, and then bringing it home when it was ready.
  • Ben, despite his outspoken Patriot beliefs, agrees to accompany Felicity to the ball at the last minute when Mr. Merriman stays behind to watch Mrs. Merriman and the children; even sweeter is the older man loudly praising him for the deed, in a way a father would for his son.
  • Felicity's mother noting how proud she is of Felicity for taking care of the household duties and watching her younger brother and sister while she was ill. If the moment when Felicity runs into her mother's bedroom fearing the worst, only to see her awake, sitting up, and beaming with pride in her daughter, doesn't get you, then nothing ever will.
  • Felicity's father granting his permission for her to go to the ball because for one night, the war won't matter and his little girl will get to be part of it.
  • After the ball, Felicity thanks Ben for escorting her to the ball and asks what made him change his mind (earlier, he had been angry that she wanted to attend, because it was being held by the English governor).
    Ben: (smiling) You did. I watched you take care of your mother. I saw how you cheered Nan and William even when all of the things you had hoped for looked impossible. I began to think your father was right. Christmas is the time when our hopes for peace and happiness should come true. I wanted to help your hopes come true, too.
• Felicity's Birthday has Grandfather gifting Felicity with her late Grandmother's guitar. He notes she inherited her gift for music and Felicity tells him she will play it for him as soon as she's older and more trained in guitar playing; even the accompanying illustration captured the moment.
  • After the ribbon with the guitar was damaged, Grandfather gifts her with a new one and even brings a bouquet of flowers with the stubborn weed they were trying to dig out of the garden, he compares the blooming and pink floral weed to Felicity, noting that it has her spirit.
• Felicity and Grandfather's relationship on the whole.
• Changes For Felicity has a few in spades:
  • After Elizabeth's father was jailed for being a Loyalist, Felicity gifts her the sampler one of them sewn the spring before reading "Faithful Friends. Forever Be" and later when Felicity (since Mrs. Cole is wary of her mostly Patriot neighbors and keeps her daughters from interacting) passes their house, Elizabeth posts the sampler on her window for her to see. Best Friends Forever.
  • Elizabeth gets the idea to gift the jailed and feverish Jiggy Nye some medicine and a blanket.
  • Grandfather goes to get Mr. Cole freed, then he visits the jail to see him and then meet with Jiggy Nye and give him money for Penny; this pays off Nye's debt and the man is back to the horse expert he used to be.
  • Mother's conversation with Felicity after Grandfather died: about how while it'd be tempting to have things stay the same (she just being a child with her parents at the plantation), that'd mean her life wouldn't have progressed with a husband, children, and those children growing up. She also noted how Felicity has grown from being flighty to being calmer and thoughtful.
  • Ben tells Felicity about how he respects her grandfather and later notes she helped him before (last summer) and hopes to do the same for her. She simply tells him he's a good friend.
  • Jiggy Nye helping to birth Penny; he Took a Level in Kindness; then Felicity, Ben, and Mrs. Merriman naming the colt "Patriot".
  • Felicity lends Mr. Merriman Penny to ride for when he collects supplies for the Patriots' army.
  "Lissie," said Father, "I know you love Penny very much. Wouldn't it be hard for you to be separated from her?"
  "Aye," said Felicity softly. "But I will be happy knowing that you and Penny are together, looking after each other. I will trust each of you to bring the other back to me safely."
  • Felicity and Elizabeth reuniting.
• Traitor In Williamsburg
  • Felicity's father sticking by his friend and fellow shopkeeper, Mr. McLeod, even if it means he'd be guilty by association after the man was accused of selling to the British troops.
  • Elizabeth's reaction to Fiona wailing about her father being accuser of being a Loyalist spy when actually being a Loyalist nearly got Elizabeth's own father killed and then sent away to England: graciously accepting Fiona's apology and showing sympathy for her worry.
  • It turns out that the very important Mr. John Sutherland was a rival of Father during their school days and got everything he'd ever wanted, except the love of Mother.
  Father: John and I were both suitors for your mother's hand. I, of course, was the happy winner of that contest.
  Felicity: (holding her father's hand) I'm glad you were the winner, Father.
  Father: (smiling) So am I, Lissie.
  • In all, Felicity's motivation for clearing her father's name. Just the best Daddy's Girl ever.
  Father: It is your mother and I who are grateful, dear Lissie, for the gift we were given eleven years ago when you were born—and the gift you've continually given to us ever since, just by being you.
  • The end where the Merriman family is reunited and having supper and where Father gives her a copy of Gulliver's Travels as a reward (though having him back was enough for her, this gesture was much accepted). Felicity is glad everything is back to normal...
• Felicity's and Mrs. Burnie's friendship in Felicity Discovers A Secret especially the ending where she gives the older woman the eyeglasses she desperately needed.
  Mrs. Burnie: My goodness. How extraordinary! Here I am with two new things in one week. They make a world of difference, and I am pleased as can be with both of them—my new eyeglasses and my new friend!
• Peril at Kings Creek has Felicity bonding more with her little sister Nan, even teaching her how to ride horses, even the part where Felicity entrusted Nan with her plan of chasing down a spy was sweet.
• In "Lady Margaret's Ghost", Felicity immediately desires to help Annie escape her horrid caretakers, despite Annie having stolen from Felicity's family and Felicity herself and being indirectly responsible for Felicity's beloved Penny being severely injured. Additionally her father lives up to the description Felicity gives Annie of him and not only sees to her guardian being punished for all his crimes, including abusing Annie, but also sets Annie up with a perfectly suited apprenticeship.

Caroline (1812)

• Caroline being taught the tricks of sailing and knot tying, impressive given it was 1812 and a girl like her was expected to grow up to become a homemaker and mother.
  • Her father's parting words to Caroline before he's taken prisoner by the British.
  Remember, you are a sailor's daughter. Everyone must sometimes face stormy seas. Good sailors learn to ride the storms through to better weather.
• Caroline and Mrs. Abbots' reunion with Cousin Oliver after he was released from prison in Canada.
  • Every reunion Mr. Abbot had with his wife and daughter.
  My Sweet Wife!
• Caroline's heart to hearts with her Mother and Rhonda about missing her father.
• Caroline's birthday party where she received a smuggled out present from her father: a handmade box inscribed with her name.
• Caroline, Cousin Lydia, and Rhonda have been making a doll for Rhonda's younger cousin Amelia's Christmas present.
  • Later Caroline taking Amelia out sledding.
  • Caroline, Amelia, and Lydia go ice skating and are joined by Rhonda pushing Caroline's Grandmother (who missed being able to ice skate without discomfort) on a chair sled.
• Caroline's intention of taking Rhonda to go fishing with her, so the older girl can rest her worries about her father being away on the battle front for a while.
• The neighbors and relatives' glee at Mr. Abbot making it back from prison.
• Caroline joining her lone mother guarding the shipyard is just sweet.
• Caroline helping a starving family (son was stealing from the farm) and her uncle letting them stay at his cabin and work on the farm. Forgiveness.
• The Traveler's Trick had it revealed that a passenger of the stagecoach Caroline and Rhonda were traveling on was being followed by her brother (under an assumed name) and that she was covering for him since he was guilty of deserting the army. He left first since their father was ill and she needed help with the farm and he had to delay his return to all the upkeep. Rhonda, an officer's daughter, soon offers to talk to her father about him so he wouldn't face the penalty.
  • After having his name cleared thanks to the help of Caroline and Rhonda, the magician Mr. Herricks offers to show Caroline the secrets of one of his cherished tricks: the rope trick.
• Just the ending of Traitor In The Shipyard.
  Caroline: (Thinking while looking at the completed quilt) And many people care about me. People who are willing to take risks to stand up and do their best to protect American independence.
• The ending of The Smuggler's Secret shows that young Flora Pemberton has accepted the disgraced Mrs. Sinclair into her home after her husband was arrested for smuggling to the British.

Josefina (1824)

• The many interactions between the Montoyas and with their own friends can count: they just go beyond civility and often are like one big extended family with Josefina musing over how she grew up with their friends and how they helped her walk.
• Tía Dolores coming over to help the girls learn home-making skills and move forward in their lives; the general mood has been uplifted in the rancho, one that has been down in the dumps since Josefina's mother's death.
• Señor Montoya showing the girls how he used to sign his name (which was a bid to impress their mother when they were courting), sweet to see he wasn't always the quiet and glum man that withdrew further into himself when his wife died.
• Just Josefina featured Josefina worrying that she can't live up to her grandmother's view of her late mother (the girl dances before she's a teenager!), the fact that her mother's old skirt doesn't fit being the straw that broke the camel's back. Josefina later approaches her grandmother with the skirt to take back and telling her that even though her grandmother is disappointed, dancing to Tía Dolores's music makes her feel wonderful, even if her late mother wouldn't do such a thing at her age. And that she learned she is her own person with some traits of her mother. Her grandmother replies:
  I've learned something too. I miss your Mamá so much that I look everywhere for reminders of her. I saw many reminders in you, and they comforted me. But that wasn't fair of me. You're not like anyone else, nor should you be. You're yourself, and that's perfect. I love you because you are you.
• Josefina's Surprise has plenty:
  • After the traditional altar cloth (which Josefina's mother had embroidered) was found damaged after the storm in the previous book wreaked part of the church roof, Tía Dolores and the girls start to fix it, and start to include objects that remind them of their mother (lavender sprigs, swallow feathers, and yellow primrose) to make the cloth like new; they even start to reminisce about their mother together.
  • A subtle one: the way Tía Dolores handles the situation when Josefina comes to her, angry at Clara for keeping and hiding Niña, the doll that should have been passed down to her as per family tradition. Instead of blaming either Clara for not giving her sister the doll or Josefina for getting upset, Tía Dolores sits down with Josefina and gently explains why Clara is holding on to Niña—it reminds her of their mother, who she misses very much—and cheers her up by promising to help them repair the damaged altar cloth.
  • When the altar cloth is finished, Tía Dolores tells Clara that she shares her mother's skill at embroidery. Considering that most of the book is about Clara learning how to cope with her mother's death, that compliment is particularly meaningful for her.
  • Clara completing her Character Development by giving Niña to Josefina, complete with a new dress matching the one that Josefina made, showing that she has worked through the grief of her mother's death. Josefina is so happy that she instead decides they will share the doll from now on.
  • The beaming of pride felt by Señor Montoya and Tía Dolores when Josefina declares that she will play María in the Las Posadas procession (when the girl playing María gets sick at the last minute).
  • The whole village joyously celebrating Christmas after a year of mourning Señora Montoya and dealing with the flood.
• Happy Birthday, Josefina! has Señor Montoya gifting Josefina a rattle from a rattlesnake he killed as a child (after it bit him), noting how proud he was then and he's giving it to her because she's his source of pride. D'aw.
  • Josefina taking care of Sombrita, the orphaned baby goat whose mother was the late and terrible Florecita. Even when Papá warns her that the little goat may not survive, she's still determined to look after her.
• Josefina Saves the Day has a few:
  • Josefina's friendship with Patrick O'Toole, the two are very close to one another and he even helps try to revive Señor Montoya's interest in the violin (he gave his away and stopped playing after Señora Montoya died) with the two men singing and playing a mixture of an old Spanish song and "Home Sweet Home".
  • Francisca accompanying Josefina on their late-night mission to retrieve the objects they've traded their blankets for, gratifying given how Francisca usually is.
  • After Francisca and Josefina have been sent to their guest room by their Grandmother for sneaking out, it was known the older woman wasn't too angry when she hugged them and Clara spent the day with them knitting and horsing around with them.
  • Papá playing the violin at the end and Tía Dolores is soon humming the song.
• In Changes For Josefina
  • Josefina indulging and comforting her nephews. What a Cool Aunt.
  • The girls' love for Tía Dolores and how they try to keep her on the rancho.
  • Tia Magdalena listening to Josefina confide in her and giving her the heart milagro for her comfort.
  • Josefina and Papá's heart to heart.
  • Papá proposing to Tía Dolores.
  • The end where Papá and Tía Dolores get married with all their friends, family, and neighbors close by, under the New Mexican turquoise sky.
• Secrets In The Hills
  • Francisca and Josefina comforting Soledad, the former captive niece of their friends, due to the young woman feeling alone due to how she doesn't share the same experiences as the other New Mexican colonists, telling her how their mother died and even if the Montoya sisters don't completely understand, they'll be friends with her. Soon Soledad is introduced to Teresita, Tía Dolores's servant who was a Navajo taken from her people in her youth, the older woman embraces Soledad.
  Teresita: (speaking Navajo) Ya'at'eeh. I understand we have much in common.
  • Tía Magdalena, and later Josefina, comforting the lonely, elderly, house bound, and ailing Doña Felícitas; with Josefina cheering her up with the herbal teas and letting her talk of the old days, which are helpful for the treasure hunting mystery.
  • Later, after Josefina and Teresita help Pedro Zamora find the golden cross that was buried out in the wilderness over hundreds of years ago, they give it to the village church and get permission to bring it for Doña Felícitas to view.
  • Soledad comes to look after Doña Felícitas, so the younger woman can feel useful and the older woman can get help with her household and companionship. A heartwarming version of Lonely Together.
  • Señor Roger Rexford, an Anglo American muleteer associated with Josefina's Abuelito, comes to Señor Montoya to ask to court Francisca. He will give up his previous dream of a home in his native Missouri with a maple tree, for a better one: marrying Francisca with going into the saddle business with her grandfather as the first step. The two are later seen dancing in the local plaza.
• The Glowing Heart
  • Teresita reuniting with her long-lost brother.
  • Tía Dolores, in her Mama Bear moment, calls Josefina her daughter.
  • The end where Tía Dolores is expecting a baby.

Cecile and Marie-Grace (1853)

• Meet Marie-Grace
  • Dr. Gardner proves how good he is as a doctor when he treats a young boy for a bloody injury and gives the boy and his brother a penny each, he then notes how helpful his daughter is to his work.
  • Sister Pauline being patient with Marie-Grace in her classroom, since the girl's French is rusty.
  • Mademoiselle Oceane gives Marie-Grace an invitation to the Children's Opera Ball held on Mardi Gras, just to help the girl socialize more.
  • Marie-Grace encouraging two sisters, bullied by the snotty Lavinia, to just dance even if they aren't of "the best society".
  • The last line:
  Dr. Gardner: And who is that girl—the one you waved to, the one whose costume looks just like yours?
  Marie-Grace: Her name's Cecile. (Smiling) And she's my friend.
• Meet Cecile
  • Ellen the maid, stating how she understands Cecile's feelings of being put out due to the fuss over how her older brother is being welcomed home.
  • Cecile and her older brother, Armand's reunion with one another; where he confides in her about his ambition to become an artist and gives her a doll where he created the face mold and had the body, dress, and hair to create a doll that resembled her.
• Marie-Grace And The Orphans
  • Marie-Grace, Dr. Gardner, and Mrs. Curtis caring for baby Phillip. Marie-Grace practically considers Phillip to be her little brother. So much it's hard for her to let him go to someone who'd adopt him or place him in a Chicago orphanage where he wouldn't be stalked by a slave catcher or catch the yellow fever.
  • Marie-Grace distracting the young Susannah from her Father trying to remove a splinter from her foot.
  • Cecile helping with providing fancy baby clothing from her household, with her Aunt even consenting, so Phillip would look wealthy rather than a slave's child (he's endangered by a slave hunter).
  • Mademoiselle Oceane has gotten engaged to Marie-Grace's Uncle Luc, all that's left is her father to approve and the family to come from France for the wedding.
  • The orphans love Marie-Grace and play with her, this even helps improve her French.
• Troubles For Cecile
  • The book starts with Cecile's older brother Armand practicing his painting by using his younger sister as a test subject. Very sweet.
  • Cecile telling and acting out Little Red Riding Hood to the orphans.
  Marie-Grace: You've made them smile Cecile. Some of the children need that even more than they need the food and clothing you bring.
  • When she visits her sick brother Armand, he shakingly asks her to sing for him, she then sings Ave Maria.
  As she sang, Cecile's prayer rose clear and strong, to fill every room and every heart in the house on Dumaine Street.
  • Though a tearjerker, Ellen's last words to Cecile. The end of their close friendship and a Call-Back to when she told the younger girl that her own father calls her his angel.
  Ellen: I think I will be an angel. Angels, they're neither servant nor slave, miss. Angels are free to fly.

  • Cecile's Mother's words about Ellen, whom the family was close to, Nice to the Waiter at its finest.
  Madame Rey: I knew of one brother. And I know she had parents. I'll write to them. She was a kind, hardworking girl.
• Marie-Grace Makes A Difference
  • Marie-Grace and Cecile plan to arrange the wedding between Mademoiselle Oceane and Uncle Luc while the former is in the hospital with yellow fever.
  • Marie-Grace comes to visit Mademoiselle Oceane in the hospital so she won't be lonely.
  • Marie-Grace's father voicing his pride in her abilities.
  • Marie-Grace singing Amazing Freaking Grace at the wedding where Mademoiselle Oceane becomes Aunt Oceane.
• Cecile's Gift
  • Cecile befriends the young lonely orphan, Perrine Dupree, whose older brother is ill with yellow fever. She even plays an imaginary game with the girl that consisted of her, Perrine, and the brother Villaire riding a magic carpet.
  Cecile: Perrine needs a friend. I can do that.
  Marie-Grace: Yes. You know how to be a very good friend.
  • Cecile's talk with the family cook Mathilde after she stresses out over reading a poem for a city benefit. Mathilde told her about how she became the Chef of Iron she is now, telling her that while some things come naturally to people, they don't always get them right especially at first.
  • Marie-Grace and her aunt Oceane show up wearing matching blue dresses to the benefit, something that makes Cecile's Mom comment on how sweet they look where they then performed a duet.
  • Cecile's poem "Things to Hold Close"
  When summer came and the sun beat down,
  A season of sorrow began in our town.
  Many people left because they were afraid,
  And life in New Orleans changed for all who stayed.
  Friends and strangers worked together,
  Making each other strong,
  And the best medicine was a soft voice
  Or a gentle song.
  When I see children all alone,
  I know the cost.
  I feel my heart break
  Over what they have lost.
  Though I am just a girl to most,
  This summer has taught me what to hold close:
  Happy memories of the past, our smiles today,
  Friends and family beside us, and those far away.
  Today we gather to help the children in need.
  Under these cloudless skies, our city is great indeed.
  My words may be weak, but my feelings are true.
  These words—and my love—are my gift to you.

  • Cecile's mother's reaction
  Maman: C'etait une joie de te voir! Ma fille precieuse! (You were a joy to see! My precious daughter!)
  • Dr. Gardner stating how proud he is to have returned to New Orleans, with it's people and how his daughter found a good friend in Cecile. This is enough to make Cecile's mother beam.
  • The letters Cecile and Marie-Grace switch while Marie-Grace visited family in Belle Cheniere. Marie-Grace told her that Cecile will be a great famous writer and Cecile tells her that the orphans ask for "Marie-the-Great" and Perrine's brother recovered and is working at the stone yard under Cecile's father. Perrine is being taught to read by Cecile.
  Maman says true friends are friends forever. We are, aren't we?
• The Cameo Necklace has Cecile and Armand helping a former maid escape from slave catchers.
  • Cecile lost her Aunt's necklace and two maroon children fixed it and were trying to give it back to her. D'aw.
• The end of The Hidden Gold where Marie-Grace's orphaned friend Wilhelmina Newman is reunited with her brothers (and they are a bit richer with the gold obtained by their late father).

Kirsten (1854)

• Kirsten's friendship with Marta is one of the few bright spots in Meet Kirsten and is very acute given the death of Kirsten's dear friend.
• In Meet Kirsten, Kirsten is briefly separated from her family after their ship arrives in America. She's overwhelmed and panicked, especially because she can't speak English, but a kind American woman finds her. The woman gives her food and a drink and helps her find her family.
• The Larson family being welcomed by their American relatives with the nieces taking to Kirsten rather quickly.
• Kirsten Learns a Lesson
  • Kirsten being welcomed into Singing Bird's tribe with open arms; they even invited her to move with their tribe for food.
  • Everyone in Kirsten's class is given a short poem to recite, and Kirsten is disheartened because she can't yet speak English very well. When Miss Winston, her strict teacher, comes to stay with her family for a short time, the two of them have a heart-to-heart where Kirsten tells her about her own experiences on the ship that brought her to America, and Miss Winston changes her poem to one about the sea, which she recites easily and with confidence. The book ends with Miss Winston awarding Kirsten a Reward of Merit for her hard work.
• Kirsten's Surprise
  • Mama and Kirsten remembering how Kirsten's grandmother (Mormor) knitted the sweaters in their trunks and how Mormor and a neighbor Mrs. Hanson came over to help the Larsons load up their belongings before they sail off for America.
  • Papa praising Kirsten for her bravery with a phrase he uses for Mama's courage: "You have heart".
  • The Larsons unpacking their trunks and musing over the sweaters and how Kirsten missed her beloved doll Sari.
  • With the help of her friends, Kirsten dresses as Saint Lucia to give her family a lovely surprise on Christmas Day.
  Saint Lucia invites you to breakfast!
• Happy Birthday Kirsten!
  • Mama musing with Kirsten about the day she was born. This is enough to make Kirsten stop worrying about her Mother forgetting her birthday.
  • The birth of Britta, with Papa noting they may have one more mouth to feed, but they're all healthy and alive "thank the Lord".
  • Kirsten taking care of a weak, small newborn kitten and helping it grow stronger.
  • Kirsten's birthday celebration: she receives ribbons, cake, strawberries with cream, the quilt that she thought all her and her friends intended for their teacher was given to her, and a pinafore from Mama, who somehow found time to make it (she was pregnant and nursing her newborn).
  • Kirsten and Papa dancing at the barn raising party.
• Kirsten Saves the Day
  • Kirsten and Peter's interactions and his affection for their puppy Caro.
  • Kirsten's parents noting how proud they are of her finding the bee tree and the illustration for when she picks out her first straw hat is just sweet.
• The Larson family helping the orphaned Ezra in Kirsten's Promise after it turns out he was staying with his Mother's dead body due to her telling him "Don't leave me" as she was dying. They convince him to stay in their cabin until they get him to friends in Redwing and get him on his way to California to meet his father.
  Mr. Larson: I've never known a boy so young to have such a strong heart. And I've never known a girl to make a better choice than you did today.
• The moment where Caro the puppy is found with baby Britta during the blizzard, keeping the baby warm was just sweet.
• Changes for Kirsten ends with the Larson family ending the series with a new frame house, after struggling on the frontier for almost 2 years and having their house burn down, it gets sweeter when they greet Papa home from the Oregon logging camp.
• In "The Runaway Friend", Kirsten refuses to believe the titular friend would shirk his responsibilities and spends the whole book trying to clear his name.
  • Said friend then proves her right, having left only to help his sister escape her abusive husband and insisting on paying every expense possible to make up for all the trouble his leaving caused once he returns.

Addy (1864)

• Meet Addy had Momma give Addy a cowrie shell that belonged to her great-grandmother Aduke, who was captured and enslaved, and one of Sam's shoelaces to fashion a necklace; this shell was meant to instill a sense of strength and she reveals Addy was named for the woman.
  • Just the bit where Addy and Momma are wearing new clothes made of pretty calico is heartwarming, with Momma being so proud of seeing her daughter in something so fine.
  • Addy's relationship with Sam and Baby Esther, which makes it all sadder when they're all separated.
• Addy Learns A Lesson has Addy and Momma being greeted by the Church, Mrs. Moore, and Sarah; they have nothing to fear in Philadelphia
  • Addy helping Momma learn to read and count, by forming letters out of dough while cooking and baking to spell their relative's names and words like "Family" and "Love"
  "F-A-M-I-L-Y. Family. That's us."
  • Momma making Addy a fancy 3-piece outfit for the spelling bee, one that looks like something the wealthier girls wear, and praising her daughter.
  • Addy making up with Sarah and vowing to practice her spelling with her. By spelling "Love" with the cookies Momma baked.
• In Addy's Surprise, her father is so proud that his daughter can read that he starts crying.
  • The whole reunion of Poppa with Addy and Momma at the church.
  • The usually crotchety Mrs. Ford re-fashions a rejected dress for Addy to wear and, upon finding out that the garret where the Walkers live is cold and has no lamp, left a lit lamp she bought for them, with a note wishing them a Merry Christmas.
• Mrs. Ford invites Addy to come and work in the shop after school practicing sewing, rather than sending her up to the garret alone.

  • How the dress is rejected in the first place is also important. It is originally ordered by a wealthy free black woman, Mrs. Howell, for her daughter Isabella. The dress takes a month for Momma to sew, but when Isabella tries it on, it doesn't fit because she's gained weight since her measurements were taken (Addy notes her face is round and she flushes when her mother is fussing.) The enraged Mrs. Howell blames Momma's sewing, saying that the dress must have been made poorly. Considering the time period and racial and colorist divides of the era (the Howells are significantly lighter than Momma and Addy in the first set of illustrations), it would have been easy for Mrs. Ford (who is white) to blame Momma, or at least blame her publicly to placate the customer and then apologize later. Instead she doesn't hesitate to defend her, even stating that she's the best seamstress she has ever had and that the dress clearly was not made too small, but that Isabella has outgrown it.

  • Addy donating her own funds (that were being saved for a gift for Momma) to help newly freed men, women, and children arriving in Philadelphia.
  • Addy using the leftover material for the rejected dress to make a scarf for Momma, and Momma giving her a handmade doll stuffed with beans as a Christmas present, which Addy happily names "Ida Bean".
  • When Addy finds a pretty red scarf in a shop that she wants Momma to have, but doesn't have the money to buy, the white shopkeeper hides it for her so it'll be there when she comes back.
• Addy's reunion with Sam, where she hears him remark about a riddle she was using for a spool puppet show, she then gifts him with another riddle where the answer was "love", as in love between family. Many, many readers burst into Tears of Joy at the reunion; Sam might have lost an arm but Addy didn't lose him.
  • Addy comforting Harriet after the girl's boasted about uncle was revealed to have died in the war. It really says a lot about Addy that she's willing to do something so kind for a person who has been nothing but cruel to her. The two proceed to bury the hatchet and later team up to stop a thief from stealing the profits from their puppet show.
• Auntie Lula and Esther's return to Addy's family in Changes For Addy. The chapter is even called "The Last Piece."
  • Really, Esther being returned to her mother, Ruth, and Ruth's reaction to it is quite a moment in and of itself, with Ruth thanking Lula as a mother and one woman to another.
• Addy and Sam visit a sick older man, Mr. Polk, in the charity ward of the hospital while looking for Esther and Lula; while the first time the nurse does not let her into the ward as a child, the next time she allows it because the nurses recognize her as a well-behaved visitor. Mr. Polk says he looked forward to her visits, because they gave him hope.
• Esther has remembered Addy's name and that her doll Janie was Addy's first and given to her. Given she was an infant when Momma and Addy left, it shows how Auntie Lula and Uncle Solomon made sure Esther never forgot her family as she got older.
• In Happy Birthday, Addy!, Addy doesn't know her exact date of birth, so her parents tell her to pick one, but she struggles to do so — until. the news comes that the war is finally over and the North has won, at which point Addy turns to her parents and says she's picked her birthday; "Today."
• The ending of the first book, where Momma and Addy are on their way to Philadelphia, where they'll be free. Think of everything Addy and her mother have been through in this book, and in the years before the story takes place — enslaved, abused by their masters, being forced to watch Addy's father and brother be sold right in front of them, forced to make a run for it, having to leave Addy's sister behind, being under constant threat of being caught during their escape, running into dangers such as a treacherous river in which they almost drown, and Addy having to walk right through a Confederate solider camp and lie to their faces, before they finally reach a safe place to rest and are able to go to Philadelphia. Just... they did it.
• A few moments in Addy Studies Freedom
  • While Poppa and Addy are in line for the viewing of President Lincoln's body, the crowd gets out of control and they are separated and Addy is almost pushed into the crowd when a white man rescues her and returns her to Poppa, the men exchange thanks and the expression of Think Nothing of It and then addressing Addy and her father in a way most white people didn't to black people (the first time a white man called Poppa "sir")
  Addy's Rescuer: This is a day you'll remember for the rest of your life, young lady. Don't you think so, sir?
  • While sad, Addy and Poppa got to see that the President's face was the most peaceful she's seen all week.
  • Addy muses on how so many people, black and white, came to mourn the President and how her parents' white employers have hired her parents for jobs they were excellent in, and about that white man that saved her and shown her father more respect than any white man. Will Addy still face prejudice based on the color of her skin and race? Yes. Are there some basically decent people who will treat people with the respect they deserve? Yes. Is there hope for the future? Yes.
  Addy's Inner Thoughts: At least some people heading in the right direction.

  • This ends with Addy tightly holding Poppa's hand as they walk home. Awww.
• Addy's Wedding Quilt
  • Addy's gift to her parents, a quilt, details their own life and family especially the broom her parents got married in. She then decides to add the church to the quilt.
  • Momma explaining what was so important about "jumping the broom" and getting married in a church: nothing wrong with the former, just that the latter meant that she and Poppa are free to say their vows and get a document recognizing that they're legally married. When she and Poppa jumped over the broom, it meant they belonged together for life, even if their owners would split them apart. She told about how happy she and Poppa were, how Auntie Lula made a supper of dandelion greens with hog's headcheese and sweet cornbread and strawberries, there was no master or overseer, and Uncle Solomon sang with some of the men with someone on piano, and a lot of dancing. And she makes the most heartwarming defiant statement ever.
    Momma: I had more sad days in slavery than I can count, but that day was one of the happiest. I cried because I was happy and because I felt free. I felt free.
  • Momma and Poppa are legally married and the wedding supper was the same as the one they had 20 years earlier, this time with the additions of collard greens, ham, hoppin' John, strawberry preserves, ice cream with candied walnuts, and pound cake. Best part was that Momma, who started the series not knowing how to read, read Addy's quilt square detailing the wedding date.
  Ruth and Ben Walker. Wed January 28, 1866.
• Sam befriending Sarah's quiet cousin Daniel, who lost his brother in the war, in Addy's Little Brother.
• Addy's parents turn down the chance for a new apartment of their own when they find out that Addy was accepted into the Institute for Colored Youth and the cost is $10.00 a year ($146.34 now). This was because little Esther got into Addy's stuff again and gave the hidden letter to Momma. It's worth the sacrifice since Addy will be a teacher and they are all together as a family.
  Addy: My family. Together we fly.
• Addy's Summer Place
  • Addy and Esther had a nasty encounter with a red haired girl and Addy caught the girl trying to steal from the rabbit trap they've set at the camp where Poppa was working at for the summer in Cape Island. Addy soon finds that the nasty girl has an impoverished home life with hardly any food and a mother that berates her for not catching food. Addy then leaves the rabbit at the property and leaves.
    Addy's Inner Thoughts: Maybe that girl would've never been my friend, but when she see that rabbit, she'll know I ain't her enemy.
  • Addy enjoying the beach and swimming out is this
    ...rushed back into the sea—a place deep, blue, and big enough for everyone.

Samantha (1904)

• Meet Samantha
  • Samantha befriending Nellie and helping her with laundry and sharing her gingerbread cookies with her.
  • Samantha's relationship with Uncle Gard, Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins, and Jessie are especially sweet, even more so with given how Samantha imagines the latter and the former to lead very glamorous lives.
  • The reason Jessie left so suddenly? She has a baby boy named Nathaniel, also so sweet given how worried Samantha and Nellie were of her.
  • Samantha giving Nellie her beloved doll Lydia, named for her mother, and a basket of food when the girl is sent off to the New York tenements to likely work in a factory and get sicker while her family struggles.
  • Grandmary and Uncle Gard noting how Samantha has a good sense of value, given her generous nature with Grandmary opening her arms to give her granddaughter a warm hug.
• Samantha Learns A Lesson
  • Grandmary has talked to one of her neighbors about hiring Nellie and her parents, so the girls could get their schooling and have a stable roof over their heads and good, clean jobs.
  • Samantha walking the O'Malley sisters to school and even vowing to help Nellie catch up with her studies; even their celebratory cookie meal at the end was sweet.
  • How strong is Samantha's determination to help Nellie? Not even Edith and Clarisse making fun of her for walking home with a servant girl lessens her resolve. Other girls might start worrying about their own social status in that situation, but Samantha doesn't even care. Her friend is more important to her and that's what matters.
  • Samantha's speech that she's preparing to give at school is about factories and how they're important to modern America. When Nellie tells her about the unsafe working conditions in the factories, Samantha instead changes her speech to focus on improving the conditions at the factories so the children who work there can be safe.
• Samantha's Winter Party has Samantha and her school friends throw a party that Nellie won't be excluded from and gift her a new pair of ice skates.
• Samantha's Surprise
  • Samantha's care into the handmade gifts (and one bought at the last minute) for her friends and family: a book for Jessie's baby boy, sachets for Grandmary, a jewelry box once made for Gard that later went to Cornelia, and a chain for Mrs. Hawkins, to name a few.
  • Aunt Cornelia being welcomed and ingratiating herself into the family: she's a fun grown up girl to Samantha, she shares Uncle Gard's good nature, gracious even when disagreeing with Grandmary, and is praised as excellent in the kitchen by Mrs. Hawkins.
  • Uncle Gard proposing marriage to Cornelia on Christmas morning, surrounded by his happy mother and niece, even the part where he and Cornelia sigh "June" as their wedding date was cute.
• Samantha Saves the Wedding has Samantha gifting Cornelia her late mother's (and Cornelia's late sister-in-law's) wedding veil as a replacement for her own veil being damaged. Cornelia notes she's honored to wear it.
• Samantha receiving bloomers from Grandmary at the end of Samantha's Blue Bicycle.
• Happy Birthday Samantha!
  • Grandmary gifting Samantha with her late mother's rose circlet and noting how she's as pretty as her mother was at that age.
  • Agnes and Agatha inviting Samantha over to visit New York in a bid to overcome the catastrophe that is overly salted ice cream (courtesy of Eddie Ryland).
  • Grandmary noting that she stayed and listened to Cornelia's speech about how women need to vote and noting that it changed her mind on women in politics.
• Samantha Saves the Day ends with Samantha and Grandmary vowing to visit Teardrop Island one day, the place that Samantha's late mother painted pictures of.
• Changes for Samantha ends with Uncle Gard and Aunt Cornelia deciding to adopt Nellie and her sisters.
  • It's revealed that Grandmary married Admiral Beemis.
  • The film has the mute Jenny so happy, that she actually speaks for the first time.
• Samantha's Ocean Liner Adventure
  • On a trip aboard a steamship with the Admiral and Grandmary, Samantha walks down to steerage and briefly befriends an Irish girl her age, Annie. And just when the girls get separated by a ship steward, Samantha gives Annie her hair ribbon and Annie gives her a twine friendship knot.
• The Curse of Ravenscourt has a few:
  • It's a small moment, but Samantha holding little Bridget's hand in the elevator to console her when the younger girl goes on an elevator (a newfangled invention at the time) for the first time with the family.
  • Gertrude (a maid known for her crankiness) fussing over Bridget and Jenny when they're coming down with the chicken pox.
  • Cornelia calling Samantha and Nellie her daughters while in full Mama Bear mode.
  • The girls' new rooms in the former attic: a bright, cheery space with a vaulted ceiling and bay windows with a library, bathroom, play area (with swings from the rafters!), and three pretty cottages the size of a large tent. One cottage is for Samantha and Nellie, the middle for Bridget and Jenny, and the third goes to Cornelia and Gards' then unborn son.
  Gard: We don't know what the new baby will be. All we know is that we'll never love her—or him—more than the four beautiful daughters we already have.
• The Cry of the Loon
  • Uncle Gard and Aunt Cornelia's son is named William Samuel, after Samantha's late grandfather and Gard's late father and the Samuel after Samantha. Though Uncle Gard states he doesn't expect to call the boy "Sam" since it's already his affectionate moniker for his niece.
  • Nellie and her sisters are already welcomed as granddaughters by Grandmary and Admiral Beemis; especially considering that the Victorian-minded Grandmary once knew Nellie as a servant girl.
  • Everyone trying to make Hildy, the temporary maid and chaperone, at home in Piney Point; on that note, Samantha trying to make sure Piney Point is as enjoyable for Nellie and the younger girls as it's always been for Samantha.
  • Samantha and Grandmary's conversation together. First starting out with Grandmary explaining to Samantha about the different calls of the loon especially the call that is the male loon saying "This nesting spot is taken. This female is taken. Go find your own" which leads to Samantha asking Grandmary about her courting days, where Grandmary mentioned her many gentleman callers, especially two special men, one turning out to be the late Grandfather Edwards. A man who really talked to her at lot, told her about his plans for college and career, asked about her thoughts and her plans for the future (even though their generation of women expected only marriage and motherhood) and when they got married, he discussed business with her and even followed her advice. They then decided to buy land for Piney Point when William made enough money and their children were both young. Grandmary even states how she wanted Piney Point to belong to her daughter and son, son and daughter-in-law, and now to her biological and adopted grandchildren.
  • Grandmary's birthday party where she received: a photograph of Gard and Cornelia with baby William, Bridget's painting of her favorite meadow (with Grandmary stating how proud she is of the girl's talent), Jenny's wildflowers picture, Admiral's commissioned paintings by Mr. Porterfield the artist, Samantha's embroidered hankie (Grandmary remarks on how Samantha improved) and a lovely scarf that was part of Nellie's gift, Nellie's bought maple sugar candies, and a painted locket portrait of Grandmary in her youth that Samantha found in the attic.
  • Mr. Porterfield turned out to be Altus Potter, Grandmary's second suitor from her youth.
  • Grandmary allowing Glenda Griffith and her sons to stay on even though her husband was sabotaging Piney Point for money from a developer, until a new manager is found.
• The Stolen Sapphire
  • The Admiral and Grandmary are taking Nellie on a tour of England and France.
  • Nellie and the girl's French tutor, Nicole Etienne, relationship with one another: they were both orphaned at a young age, both considered outsiders by members of high society, and are foreign or had immigrant parents. Mademoiselle Etienne even makes the girls' tutoring sessions enjoyable.
  • Anytime the girls call the Admiral "Grand-pere".
  • In the end: Grandmary, the Admiral, Samantha, and Nellie take a short trip to Ireland while the ship stops there. It's really something since Ireland wasn't a popular tourist spot in 1907. Their freed and innocent (and previously lonely) Mademoiselle Etienne is waving good-bye to them from the ship while she chats with the Intrepid Reporter Jack.
  Admiral: To visit Ireland? Yes, why not! It's a beautiful country. Both you girls should see it, but most of all you, Nellie, because it's your family's homeland.
• Clue In The Castle Tower
  • The memories occupants of the estate have of the late Lady Stallsworth, the wife of the Admiral's knight friend Charles. She doted on her orphaned nephews as if they were her own and lived up to the trope Nice to the Waiter. She would've seen to it, that young Mabel would be able to visit her family more and borrow books from the library, if she hadn't died the morning after their talk.
  • Lady Stallsworth's unfinished letter, implying she wants her nephews and husband to spend more time together.
  Dear Charles, Since I've become ill, I've learned that our greatest treasures on earth are the people we love. I've also learned my books are important to me not because they are rare but because of the rare knowledge inside them. I therefore plan to sell all my first editions so that I may leave a legacy for you and our beloved nephews to enjoy. If you are reading this, it means that I have not had time to complete my plan while I'm alive. I ask that you continue it after I'm gone. I love you, my dearest Charles, and I always will, even from beyond the grave. My hope is that you and Henry and Ian...
  • Samantha and Nellie, upon the mystery being solved, each receive 25 pounds ($35.38 in American dollars, about $866.77 in 2016) as a reward and give their shares to Mabel, a 13 year old maid who had to leave school to support her family just to support the farm after her father passed away, she is able to quit her restrictive job and go back to school and her family.
  • Admiral's and Grandmary's pride in Nellie and Samantha at the end.
  Admiral: You girls were able to solve a mystery that puzzled everyone else.
  Grandmary: And you've helped a lonely girl go back to her family. We're very proud of you both.
• Danger In Paris
  • The Admiral helping to purchase gifts the girls were picking for loved ones back at home; after his injury, Samantha muses on how he always does things for others and that this time she will solve the mystery of his attack for him.
  • Samantha comforting Nellie when the girl is worrying that her coughing fits would be a symptom of tuberculosis.
  • Frederick and William Keller: two cousins traveling together after the former had a severe fever that caused him to lose his hair and be compelled to use a Dodgy Toupee. William is a doctor and accompanies his cousin to cheer up after that illness only for Frederick to have a budding romance with a young nanny in the same Paris tour group. Also works for Ingrid, since he invited her to an opera that she snuck out to, a nice break from looking after a hyperactive little boy and dealing with his demanding parents.
  • William, out of guilt for not admitting he's a doctor, has been visiting the Admiral at the hospital.
    • Also his role as Shipper on Deck for Ingrid and Frederick going out to the opera and even took the time to assure Nellie her cough is nothing serious but to see a doctor soon and stay out of the wind.
  • Just the way Grandmary was worrying about the girls and called them her granddaughters is so sweet.
  • Grandmary and the Admiral adopt Prince, the dog that was used, abused, and abandoned by the thieves that owned him.
  • While they cut short their trip to Europe, Grandmary and the Admiral invite Nellie and Samantha for another trip to Europe, this time in the summer, where Bridget and Jenny will come along, their younger granddaughters.
  Nellie: I'm so glad to be your granddaughter. So very glad!

Rebecca (1914)

• Rebecca and Ana has a few:
  • Rebecca lends Ana her beloved nesting doll for good luck at a school recital.
  • Ana's family is reunited with her older brother, who was kept at Ellis Island for a leg infection.
• Candlelight for Rebecca
  • Bubbie comforting Rebecca after the girl was revealed to work on a Christmas-related school project (Rebecca's family frown upon Jews taking to Christmas as a mark of selling out) of a centerpiece, telling her that she's proud of her for obeying her teacher and she'll never be mad at her grandchildren for doing their school work well.
  • Rebecca and Mr. Rossi's gifts to one another: from her, the aforementioned centerpiece and from him, his late wife's candlesticks, thinking that the young girl will want to light them for Hanukkah.
  • Mr. Rossi's reason for keeping pigeons: he and his brother used to keep them when they grew up in Italy and they use them for mailing letters.
• Being that it's a birthday book, Rebecca and the Movies features a few:
  • Her surprise birthday party, after she was dreading that her birthday would be forgotten due to it falling on Passover, with homemade egg creams and a birthday cake made from matzo flour and a lot of eggs (because her Mom said it's not every day your kid turns 10); Max also gives her a pretty hat to wear and the twins give her a ticket good for watching a movie with them and having egg creams afterwords.
  • Max and Rebecca's relationship, often like a loving big brother and his little sister in the manner of Addy and Sam.
  • Lily Armstrong is so kind to Rebecca. She takes a personal interest in looking after her and spends the rest of the series calling her "doll baby", making it clear that she loves her and intends on protecting her.
  • Lily sharing her lunch with Max after she finds he doesn't have access to food that's kosher for Passover.
• Rebecca to the Rescue
  • Rebecca's older brother Victor wins her the Kewpie doll Rebecca was wanting at Coney Island. She also gives him a hug for this- "something she hadn't done in a very long time".
  • Victor and Rebecca end up complimenting each other at the end of the book(Victor for doing so well during his bar mitzvah and Rebecca for helping to rescue Ana from the broken down Ferris Wheel) after spending most of the story being at odds with one another.
• Changes for Rebecca has Max married to Lily, after pining for her months ago, Max Shepard got the girl he loved.
  • Lily comforting Rebecca after being injured at the strike, letting the girl know that she followed her heart to help improve the world.
• The end of A Growing Suspicion where Mr. and Mrs. Tanaka (who lost their son when immigrating from Japan) informally adopt the orphaned and homeless Nathaniel Gibney.
  • Mrs. Tanaka's motivation for the sabotage in the Japanese Garden section of the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens: she was afraid her husband would be let go when he isn't needed and creates the mess so they'd keep him longer (turns out they planned to keep him working there).
• In The Crystal Ball, when "Well Done, Son" Guy Josef buys back his mother's wedding ring after she pawned it for money after his father lost his job at the factory. He even gets back the knife he pawned to try and get it back because he'd been saving hopelessly yet the shopkeeper kept Moving the Goalposts.
  • Shortly after, Josef gets a commendation from the city police for his role in stopping the culprit who had been framing him, and both he and the family express hope that his father will finally be proud of him.

Kit (1934)

• Happy Birthday Kit! has its moments:
  • Aunt Millie is utterly patient with Kit, who is embarrassed about her poverty and feels terrible about wanting a Robin Hood themed birthday party but feeling she shouldn't even expect a small one, Millie then comes up with a party that manages to be eventful without much money.
  • The birthday party had members of the household, including the boarders, contributing their talents for party entertainment; showing how close the boarding house has become after less than a year, enough to help entertain for their landlords' daughter's 10th birthday party.
• Kit's Home Run. Mrs. Howard helping Kit with her baseball injury was rather sweet, she even used the same affectionate name she uses for her son: "lamby". The woman thanks Kit for making her feel useful again and gets tickets to "Ladies Day" at the ballpark. Kit sees how the fussy Mrs. Howard is a very sweet and loving person with a soft heart.

  Mrs. Howard is a pretty good person to be with when you're hurt. Fussy babying feels nice when you're on the way to the hospital for stitches. What's more, Kit gets her a job in a Hospitality Shop based on her recommendation.

• The ending of Kit's Tree House where Kit made a picnic lunch for Stirling and her father for her tree house warming.
  • Just Dad building the tree house.
  She knew Dad would have built her a castle in the air if he could have, but all he had was time, scraps, and love.
• Rascal the baboon in "Danger in the Zoo". For context, he once saw someone manhandling a child in front of his cage and was so upset that forever after, he made it his goal to protect any child he saw being roughly handled.
  • In the same book, when the head of the zoo discovers that the mysterious troubles (mostly doors being left unlocked) aren't the fault of new hire Will but rather old hand Rudy and that the reason for Rudy's actions was that he was worried sick about their new monkey, who hadn't been eating due to depression, and was trying to reunite him with his old trainer who raised him, the head sincerely apologizes to Will, who graciously accepts, hires the old trainer and is lenient with Rudy as well as sincerely thanking Kit and Stirling for their part in clearing up the mess (including getting one of the boarders at Kit's house to serve as a translator for the trainer, who can't speak English well).
• In "A Thief in the Theater", Kit's Big Sister Instinct towards Stirling when some bullies start hassling him.
• Ruthie's explanation for loving fairy tales in Really Truly, Ruthie and for why she is such a sweet, kind, and optimistic person.
  I don't really believe that life always works out happily like fairy tales do... and the wishes-come-true and the happy endings aren't the only reasons I like fairy tales. I like them because they show that no matter what happens to us, it's how we act along the way that matters. We still get to choose what kind of people we want to be. And, well, I guess I'd rather be foolish but hopeful about people than smart but stingy and distrustful.
• In Kit Learns a Lesson, after hitting bottom when she sees her father at a soup kitchen, Kit figures out a series of solutions to her family's problems, including sacrificing her dream of a tree house so they can use their materials to expand their boarding capacity, and then presents the idea to the family as a mock "help wanted" page. Watching everyone react happily makes Kit feel proud, rather than her previous shame and resentment.
• Kit and Sterling becoming real friends despite their rough start.
• In Kit's Surprise, Kit scrapes together a few dollars through helping Uncle Hendrick, and gives it all to her parents as a Christmas gift so they can pay the electric bill.
  • Also Ruthie coming to "rescue" Kit from her uncle's house after she was stranded there by a storm, even though they had been fighting.

Nanea (1941)

• The Aloha spirit in general: Nanea grows up in a close-knit community where most members look out for one another and are willing to give any sort of support to their family and neighbors. Neighbors, friends, and family take more time to "talk story" rather than rush through greeting one another.
  • There is a outpouring of support from Nanea's family to Lily's family after the attack involved the FBI arresting her father. Nanea's mother even sets up a picnic basket to take to the prison.
  • The philosophy that friends and families share in the triumphs and troubles of one another — no one is alone.
    • Many of the neighbors got together to replace items lost in a fire for a young widow and her newborn son (the widow also tragically lost her husband in the attack). Nanea even donates her beloved teddy bear for the baby.
    • One of the machinists lost his car in the attacks, and his co-workers, friends, and the wives of the machinists started raising money to buy him a new car.
• Nanea's relationship with her dog, Mele; she talks a lot to the dog and really devotes her efforts for searching for Mele after the dog got lost after the Pearl Harbor attacks.
• How Nanea's family discipline her: there is no yelling, shaming, blaming, manipulation, or guilt-tripping, but they do talk calmly to her and give her a go-ahead to figure out how to do the right thing. It is no wonder that she can actually talk to them about things that trouble her, they hear her out and explain what she could do or what they feel is another point-of-view.
• Mele being found and comforted by Nanea, the dog clings closely to her afterwards.
• Uncle Fudge being released for Christmas, and the reassurance that the man the FBI mistook him for in the first place will be left alone instead of taken to an internment camp.
• Mele providing a comfort to soldiers far from their families and from their own pets. This gives Nanea an idea to bring her dog to USO gatherings and even to perform as part of a hula duo.
• Lily and Nanea try all they can to keep their mainland civilian friend Donna from leaving the island and proving she is "essential" (alluding to how many civilians who are family of those journalists and military were shipped out back to the mainland for their safety). It doesn't work, but the community lets them know that the effort was remarkable and they helped a lot of other people with their efforts.
• Before Donna is shipped out, the two other friends make her a lei and in a true greeting, Donna tosses her lei overboard (like in From Here to Eternity, it was a superstition ensuring she will return to the island one day).
• Miss Smith really cares about her students, from making Nanea feel very reliable to giving new girl Dixie an important role to acclimate her into the classroom.
• Nanea is very close to her Tutu (Grandmother) and Tutu Kane (Grandfather), even closer than with her father and mother; she can confide in them about anything.
• Nanea's family has been inviting Donna's father to dinner every evening after his wife and daughter have been relocated to San Francisco, as Nanea said "we will treat him like family — except he won't have to do the dishes".
  • Later, Donna's father invites Dixie and her father to board at his house until his wife and daughter can come back. Two single dads supporting one another, and a lonely little girl gets to have peace of mind and sleep.
• Nanea's friends and family set up a nice birthday party for her: her older sister Mary Lou sets up a scavenger hunt with a few neighbors for Nanea to follow, Nanea receives treats, and she is greeted at her Uncle Fudge's house with saved up gas coupons to take Nanea out to a picnic on the beach!

Molly (1944)

• Meet Molly
  • Mrs. McIntire fixing up the mashed turnips Molly is refusing to eat with a bit of rations (sugar and butter) and cinnamon. She then talks to her about how she once snuck some sardines on toast to her dog as a child only to be caught, and tells her that the war has changed things (rationing and Dr. McIntire being away) but they're still a family.
  • Molly and Ricky reconciling and him admitting that his sister was really good at pulling pranks and that he'd rather be her ally than her enemy.
• The girls from Molly's school hold a knitting bee to make socks for the soldiers. Several of the girls struggle with knitting; Molly encourages her classmate, who breaks down in tears over her inability to knit, and says that the square she managed to make is better for a blanket. This leads to the girls deciding to knit a blanket instead of socks, and the resulting blanket is sent to the hospital where Molly's father works.
• Molly's Surprise
  • The fact that Dr. McIntire was able to, with the help of Jill and Molly, ensure his family will get the surprise they crave for Christmas.
  • Jill and Molly chatting over the plan to keep the box (delivered from their father) hidden for Christmas (instructions) and over how they miss their father.
  • The family opening their gifts from Dr. McIntire and receiving: a Nurse doll for Molly, soft gloves for Mrs. McIntire, a ski hat for Jill, a pilot's silk scarf for Ricky, and the canteen and helmet little Brad always craved; and to top it all off, Dr. McIntire is interviewed for an overseas Christmas program and wishes his family a Merry Christmas.
  • In the movie adaptation, Dr. McIntire procures a very special gift for Emily: A copy of A Christmas Carol with a heartfelt message from her father, whom Dr. McIntire met when he was overseas, written inside.
• Happy Birthday Molly!
  • Mrs. McIntire welcoming Emily to her home.
  • Emily and Molly bonding as sisters.
  • Little Brad knowing straight up that Emily needs to be assured that the air raid drill they're participating in is just for practice. It's further touched on in Brave Emily with Brad being friendly with her.
  • Emily and Molly receiving dogs as gifts (named "Yank" for Emily's and "Bennett" for Molly's), with Emily tearfully recollecting how her dog was killed in a bombing, and then Emily notes that while she dealt with the war being in her face, she was only separated from her parents for a shorter period while Molly hadn't seen her Dad in a year or so.
• A Light in the Cellar shown that Emily is very close to her sick Aunt Primrose, who is quite the Cool Old Lady.
  • Molly and Emily resolve to spend as much time together even after Emily leaves for Primrose's cottage.
• The ending of Molly's Puppy Tale where Bennett comes up and licks Molly's face leaving muddy pawprints while Ricky looks on lovingly.
• Molly Saves the Day! has Linda take ice cream to Molly and Susan, after their color war team was exposed to Poison Ivy, and noting that they did great out there in the war and stopped being mad when she realized that they saw how serious she was taking the game.
• The end of A Spy On The Home Front is bittersweet: the culprit framing her aunt and her friend Anna's brother was caught and taken away, but the the German-American Schulzes no longer feel safe in their hometown and leave to avoid being taken to a concentration camp. Molly and her friend Anna exchange letters, Molly's being very sweet.
  To my dear friend Molly, I'm sorry I didn't get to say good-bye to you. Max came home last night. We were so excited! But then the FBI agents came back, too. They ransacked the house again. They said they still suspected Papa and Max were aiding the Germans. Oh, Molly, I was so scared. Then I thought of how brave you were. I told the agents that Mr. Kay was the Silver Shirt, not Max and Papa. The FBI agents left. But they warned us they would return. Papa said that he and Max were not safe anymore in Weston. Papa said they needed to leave. Mama said that we would all go. We packed quickly. We closed up the house. We are driving far away to stay with friends. I am giving you the address of where we are going. Keep it a secret! I will understand if you do not write to me. America is at war, and the FBI thinks my family is the enemy. I hope, dear Molly, that you will still think of me as a friend. Love Anna Schulz. P.S. I will wear your Camp Gowonagin cap every day.
  Dear Anna, I am so sorry I didn't get to say good-bye to you, too. My aunt tried to explain to why the FBI agents still suspect your family. I don't understand it all, but I do know that I will always be your friend. Try not to be too scared while you are away. As soon as this war is over, you will come home! And try not to be too homesick for your farm. When I was homesick at Camp Gowonagin, my mother would send me a hug in a letter. So look carefully inside this envelope because there is a hug for you. Love, Molly McIntire. P.S. Please write back. P.P.S. Your secret is safe with me. P.P.P.S. Every time you wear my cap, think of me. I'll be thinking of you, my forever friend!
• In Changes for Molly, the entire reunion scene between Molly and her dad at the very end of the book.
  • Jill and Ricky telling Molly how sorry they are that she's too sick to participate in the show and how her part was vital to the show. Nice to see the formerly above-it-all older sister and annoying older brother comfort their sister and view her talents as superior.
  • When Molly asks who's doing her part in the show, Ricky's answer is, "Allison. It's probably because she looks so good in the costume, but everyone knows she's not half as good a dancer as you are."
  • Jill talking to Molly about how she may not look older but she has grown in ways that can't be measured in height or seen at first glance.
• In "A Light in the Cellar", one of the patients Molly has been delivering magazines to (a wealthy widow whose family lives far and her live-in nephew being overseas) hires a nurse (Marta) who's been struggling to find housing for herself and her little girl Ruth to housesit for her and fix her tea.
  • Molly, despite having initially found her magazine delivery job boring, refuses to give it up when offered the option because she's bonded with the patients and realizes that they'll lose something if she leaves.
  • Emily reveals that despite her aunt, the guardian her parents had intended for her, being ready to take her on, she's going to miss living with Molly and admits to sometimes forgetting she isn't related to them. Molly volunteers to come over every so often to help Emily fix dinner, to Emily's obvious pleasure.
  • We also learn that Emily's Aunt Primrose is a Cool Aunt who is a friendly woman who is a teacher at Ruth's school and knows of Marta's tragic backstory and is willing to defend Marta from prejudiced people.
• Clues In The Shadows ending had Molly and all her friends send in the paper scraps they were collecting for a drive under the name of a boy whose father was declared Missing In Action.
  • The moment when the Poor Communication Kills that had plagued the McIntire family (Mr. McIntire was saddened by the sudden quietness of his family but never said anything because he thought it had been a natural change while he was gone; the rest of the family thought he wanted it that way and didn't want to upset him) is broken by Molly and her father breaking into laughter and him using his old pet name for her, to her obvious delight.
• The premise of Molly's Route 66 Adventure. It's 1946 and the McIntire family (sans Jill who is candy-striping) is having a cross country road trip to California. It's nice to see Molly's father with his wife and kids after several years in-universe.

Maryellen (1954)

• Mrs. Larkin figuring that Maryellen was feeling under-appreciated... and that the young girl felt her mother felt that way and wanted her to feel special.
• Maryellen befriending Angela, over penmanship and learning Italian words.
• Joan getting "pinned", engaged, and later married to her boyfriend Jerry.
  • Also him being happy over marrying a girl with "brains and beauty" and playing their song "Sincerely" before the Larkins have one last summer road trip.
• The Larkins getting together for Christmas with Mrs. Larkin's parents.
• When Maryellen is confiding her worries to Mr. Larkin, he's comforting her and telling her to just go ahead with her birthday idea because one must do all they can, he makes a little hose shower for the dog Scooter. Scooter is very happy about this little sweet bit.
• Mr. Larkin's reason for the family to go on a road trip? For some family bonding before Joan gets married.
• Maryellen and Joan confiding in one another while looking for their dog, with Joan stating that she wants to marry Jerry but is afraid it'd get in the way of becoming a teacher and traveling the world, little sis tells her she can do both.
• Joan telling off a man who commented on how odd it is, that a fat dog like Scooter, can run off so fast; and she gets annoyed by the dog!
• Maryellen's girlfriends joining the science group started by Maryellen, Davy, and Wayne, despite not having an interest in rockets.

Melody (1964)

• The family's welcome to Yvonne can count as this, even Yvonne exclaiming over the family, which also work in Establishing Character Moments.
  Wow Dee-Dee. Did you get taller? Got any new sounds, Dwayne? Lila, are those new glasses? Dad, you're wearing the birthday shirt we gave you! Big Momma, that roast smells really good. And Mommy, I know you made your triple-chocolate cake. Can we eat?
• The fact that Diane Harris grew from Alpha Bitch to one of Melody's best friends throughout the first book, it really means a lot given how the series has been given flak for down-pat characterization. All after Melody's grandmother, Big Momma gave her a pep talk.
  You have to take your time and open your heart to learning. It may not be easy, but the things worth having usually don't come easily.
• After it turns out that Yvonne was turned away from a position at the bank where Melody keeps her allowance because of her race (the manager didn't even look at her application and told her the position was filled yet a white girl of the same age was allowed to apply), Melody takes her money out of the bank even telling a bank teller why she's withdrawing all her money.
  Melody: My sister is really good with money and numbers, but this bank wouldn't let her apply for a summer job because she's black. That's not fair.
  Confused Teller: Do you understand, dear, that if you withdraw everything you'll close your account?
  Melody: Yes. I understand. This bank discriminates against black people. I don't want to keep my money here anymore.
  • Her mother shows her pride.
  Mrs. Ellison: Good job. You know, your daddy says voting is a way to speak up for what we believe. Money has a voice, too. What we do with it says a lot about what we believe.
  Melody: Thanks, Mommy.
  Mrs. Ellison: I'm proud of you, Melody.
  • Yvonne gets a job from her father at his business after she makes affordable corsages.
• Dwayne's letter to Melody, which encourages her to regain her voice for Youth Day at her Church, noting how even with all the bigotry he experiences on the road he won't let "any stupid laws or people with crazy ideas about us hold me back. I know I'm good! You're good, too... almost as good as me. Ha, Ha! Best luck on your big day".
  • And he even made it to her performance on Youth Day, clapping and cheering for her. Even offering her to do some backup singing for his first record.
• Val and Melody's other friends accompanying her to the Church after she starts getting over the trauma of the news about the Birmingham bombing.
• Yvonne telling Melody how proud she was of Melody overcoming her trauma-induced dyslexia after the news about the bombing in Birmingham.
• Melody's 10th birthday party: presents like a gold and cream colored ensemble to attend at the Watch Night service at Church, triple layered chocolate cake, loving family members that call New Year's Eve "Melody's Eve". It's a great start to 1964.
  • Melody's father later explains the meaning of Watch Night, what it means to their community. Which celebrates the news of the Emancipation Proclamation and calls to the slaves waiting for the announcement on New Years Day, 1863:
  "Back in 1863, that kind of freedom was just a dream. But I think on that first Watch Night, they could see freedom coming. How many times have you tried to stay awake on Melody's Eve, because what's coming is so special? When you're expecting something big, something wonderful to happen, you can't rest. And when that Emancipation Proclamation did come, our people celebrated. We've been giving thanks ever since, during watch night."
  "Wow," Melody murmured. She was thankful that she was finally going to stay up for Watch Night. And she was proud that her birthday was linked to such an important tradition.
• Melody's brother Dwayne surprises Melody by coming in singing his own rendition of "Happy Birthday"
  • Later he gives her a genuine autographed copy of an album by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, one that he personally got autographed for Melody.
  Happy Birthday, Dee-Dee. Stay Cool. Martha.
• Melody's Mother finally voices her approval of Dwayne going into Motown after he talks about the rehearsals and the famous etiquette and dancing lessons Berry Gordy has the artists take.
• Miss Esther coming to give Melody her precious Hollyhock seeds, noting her as the right person to be a gardener.

Julie (1974)

• Meet Julie
  • Julie's older sister, Tracy, helping her prepare for her state's capitols quiz by taking her to a bakery where you can decorate your own cupcakes by putting a "frankfurter" for Frankfort, Kentucky for one.
  • The acquaintance the girls and their mother have with Hank, the Vietnam Vet is just sweet.
  • After Julie and Ivy had a fight over taking signatures for Julie's petition, Ivy makes her own petition to make up with her by signing it over and over to be "Julie Albright's Best Friend".
• Julie Tells Her Story
  • Julie's relationship with her father is this, but there is a moment where he recalled a toddler Julie trying to eat a banana slug because she thought it was a banana, he found it cute and funny.
  • When discussing an upcoming game with a team that has a fifth grader (almost 6 ft), Julie worries about how this team would take on another team with only one girl with a teammate telling her not to worry, they don't call her "Cool Hand Albright" for nothing. It's nice to see, after all the trouble with Coach Manley in the first book, that Julie was accepted by her teammates so soon.
  • Tracy helping Julie practice for the upcoming game, even the accompanying illustration in the first edition matched the sweetness of this scene.
  • The whole family going out for pizza together after Julie's accident.
• Happy New Year, Julie
  • Julie and Ivy's time together at the latter's house: it's a nice change after the disastrous Christmas dinner Julie had with her sister and Dad.
  • Ivy's family invites all the Albrights to their dinner at the Chinese New Year Banquet and where the girls receive the cheongsams they've tried on in Chinatown as a thanks for helping with cleaning the house. To Julie's relief, her whole family is getting along with one another.
• Julie And The Eagles
  • Julie's devotion to the birds, like the baby owl she and Ivy found and the Bald Eagle family.
  • Just the fact the eagles can finally fly out in the outdoors is heartwarming, especially since it was at Julie's birthday party at Muir Beach, with their baby Freckles watching.
• Julie's Journey
  • Julie and her sister Tracy join their Aunt, Uncle, and cousin April on a wagon train set for Valley Forge, for the Bicentennial Fourth of July celebration, Julie gives April the cold shoulder after a humiliating incident, then the axle on their wagon breaks and later have to abandon several things. Inspired by the example of the Ingalls family and the soldiers at Valley Forge suffering a winter without shoes and coats, Julie leaves her whole set of Little House books there. Soon April begs her Mom not to make Julie leave her books, she can sacrifice her stuff, then Julie stops her.
  Julie: It's okay. I know all the stories by heart.
  April: But what will you do now when you're mad at me? (puts arm around Julie)
  • Julie and April meeting Mr. Witherspoon and after persuading him to sign a special scroll they'll take to a museum in Valley Forge, assuring him that they won't sell it. He shows them a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence that his great-great-great-great grandfather signed (one of the signers). He then signs the new scroll with his "John Witherspoon". Julie doesn't regret hitting near-by Hershey Park.
  She felt as if somehow a line had been drawn, a line from some long-ago, dusty past that connected her, today, in 1976, with the birth of the nation two hundred years ago.
  • Jimmy, a rider from their wagon train, revealed he saved the pioneer dress that Tracy left behind. Just so she doesn't stick out at the costume dance at Valley Forge.
  • Captain Albright joining them at the end, he even gets to see his youngest daughter shake hands with the President!
• Changes For Julie
  • Joy's speech at the debate. Also a CMOA.
  I know I'm different. I know I talk funny. I can't hear what you hear because I'm deaf. But everybody feels different sometimes. And even though I'm deaf, I promise to listen to you. I hope you'll give me a chance.

  • This is followed up when Julie comforts her in the bathroom after the Water Fountain Girls ridicule her in class, telling her they ridiculed Julie when she came even though it wasn't as bad.
  • Another CMOA and CMOH for Julie: she calls out the Water Fountain Girls for their Alpha Bitch tactics and stands up for Joy.
  All you think about are yourselves. Did you ever stop to think for one minute about Joy—that I might be doing something for her, not for you?
• Good Luck, Ivy
  • Ivy manages to get a lost little boy together with his Chinese speaking mother.
  • After an outburst (in front of her Chinese restaurateur grandparents) about how tired she is of Chinese food for dinner, her grandparents understand and take her out of town to a burger diner. Telling her that they can't have their customers see them eating at another restaurant, so they go far away and eat Italian, Greek, or American burgers as they commiserate over chocolate milkshakes, french fries, and cheeseburgers.
  • Ivy's mother argues on behalf of Ivy competing and notes how proud she is of her.
  • Ivy's Po Po (grandmother) talks to her about how she had to give a speech about the United States with her English and was nervous, but she remembers it's not about impressing others, that it's more about her patriotism. She then tells her a "nice boy" helped her with her English when practicing, then Gung Gung (grandfather) notes she was the prettiest girl in Chinatown and still is.
  Gymnastics is in your heart. I can see that.
  • Ivy's little sister Missy gives her a red paper flower and her own stuffed lion, Roary, to her before the competition.
  You can borrow him. He brings me good luck.
  • Andrew, her older brother, gives Ivy an envelope to open after the competition: it turns out to be a photograph of the family holding a sign with a dragon drawing reading "Good Luck Ivy".
  • Ivy, with Julie and Captain Albright, makes it to the family reunion at her grandparents' restaurant where cheering relatives await them and where the Albrights were welcomed with open arms as family with Ivy's favorite Chinese food: BBQ duck and Sweet & Sour Pork.
  • The end
  Julie: Gosh, Ivy. It must be nice to be part of a big family like this.
  Ivy: (smiling) It's wonderful. I had no idea how lucky I was!
• The events of The Tangled Web
  • Julie muses on how—unlike her friend Carla's dad—that her dad, even though he's divorced from her mom, is still is a big, active part of his daughters' lives.
  • Julie forgiving Carla and even befriending her, even after all the deception earlier in the book.
  Friends stick together!
  • Carla and her mother being reunited with her older brother Todd at the Thanksgiving dinner Julie's mother is holding for the Vietnam Veterans they know.
• In The Puzzle of the Paper Daughter Julie and Ivy reunite Ivy's grandmother with the older woman's long lost friend.
  • Julie's mother reunites with her own best friend and lets her stay at her apartment until she gets on her feet.

Courtney (1986)

• Courtney's stepsister Tina, after a large fight, gives Courtney a large bag of gummi bears to make up for her actions and says she was right to stand up for Maureen on TV against the sexist reporters.
• Mike tries to make a big family dinner for Maureen, but he is a Lethal Chef and can't keep his eye on multiple tasks at once. When he starts to struggle, Tina and Courtney — still in the fallout from a fight — decide to get along long enough to help him prepare the full meal.
• When Courtney, Maureen, and Tina go to the salon to get Maureen's hair done, Maureen immediately goes with what Tina suggests, saying she is the hair expert of the family. Tina shows longing for curly hair and Maureen agrees to pay for a perm. Courtney then gets her ears pierced (holding her mom and stepsister's hands — Tina assures her that it's "just a pinch") and, afterwards when Courtney says they could pass for sisters, Tina just beams.
• On the day of the Challenger destruction, Courtney goes up to bed and hears her stepsister Tina crying. At this point Tina has been hot and cold to her, mean at times and insulting Courtney behind her back and to her face, and Courtney doesn't feel close to her. Courtney still asks what's wrong, comes down from the top bunk to see, and listens as Tina confesses why she's upset. Hearing of death reminds Tina of her late mother, Bonnie. She pours out about her and confesses that she has had mixed angry and sad emotions seeing Courtney have tender moments with her mother, the aches of her own mother being gone (and how it didn't feel real until her father married Courtney's mother) and not feeling part of the family. Courtney and Tina become much closer after their night talking together.
• Tina giving Courtney her favorite hot pink scrunchie for good luck before her Dream Big presentation—especially because at the start of the book, she was angry that Courtney had taken it without permission.
  • Also, she suggests to Courtney that instead of Crystal Starshooter zapping her enemies to kill them, that she could use her gun to zap her enemies into becoming friends.

Girls of the Year

Lindsey

• April is a massive Bully Magnet, but Lindsey goes out of her way to make her feel better and stands up to the bullies Blair and Missy for her.
• To get Lindsey in trouble. Blair lies that the other girl attacked her on the way to school, but Miss Kinney gives Lindsey a chance to explain herself and believes her when she says Blair and Missy were bullying April. It is a refreshing subversion of Adults Are Useless.
• April telling Lindsey that she was brave for taking action against the pet parade, and that she herself would never have the guts to do something like that.
• Uncle Bernie and April helping Lindsey put together her Perfect World Collage at the last minute.
• When Lindsey's dog Mr. Tiny goes missing, the family hands out lost dog flyers. By the time they get back to the house, everyone is really tired, so Lindsey's usually-annoying little brother Ethan takes the remaining flyers and heads out on his bicycle to put out the rest of them.
• Throughout most of the book, Lindsey and Josh dislike each other and find each other annoying, but it's Josh who finds Mr. Tiny when he's lost and brings him back to the Bergmans' house. Lindsey is so happy that she invites him to Ethan's bar mitzvah, and it turns out since his cousin plays guitar for Ethan's favorite band the Twisted Turtles, he can get them to play at Ethan's bar mitzvah for free.
• On the morning of Ethan's bar mitzvah, he gets the jitters and locks himself in his room. To Lindsey's surprise, he only wants her to come in. At first she refuses because she doesn't want to cause another disaster, but Uncle Bernie is able to encourage her to try one more time.
  Uncle Bernie: Pumpkin, this is no time to take a stand. We need your—
  Lindsey: Forget it. I'm not getting involved.
  Uncle Bernie: This is not the Lindsey I know. The Lindsey I know would do anything to help her family.
  Lindsey: Yeah, well, that was before I learned my lesson. Meddling in other people's problems just ends up getting you into trouble.
  Uncle Bernie: Lindsey, this isn't meddling. Your brother is asking for your help. There's a very big difference between that and you deciding to talk your band teacher into wearing leather pants.
• At the very end of the book, during the bar mitzvah, Uncle Bernie shows Lindsey how happy she's made everyone.
  Uncle Bernie: Take a look around the room, Lindsey. I see a lot of happy faces, Pumpkin. And a lot of them are happy because of you.
  Lindsey: I don't know. I still feel pretty much like a worm.
  Uncle Bernie: Worm, schmerm! You're more like a butterfly. Sometimes you flit before you think, but you make the people around you feel light and sunny. Especially me. And believe me, it's not easy to make me feel light and sunny.