When she wins the lead role in a school play, second-grader Ellie neglects her friends in the Critter Club and their new animal shelter.

Members of the Critter Club are all excited about their summer plans until Liz learns that, instead of taking an art class, she will have to be in summer school to improve her math skills, but a fun teacher, a classroom pet, support from her friends, and advice from her brother might get her through.

When Marion finally gets the chance to babysit her little sister, she finds that the task is harder than she expected, especially when she gets called to the Critter Club to help with a stray cat and must bring Gabby along.

Valentine's Day is near, and to raise money for a charity called Puppy Love, Ellie persuades the other Critter Club girls to join her in selling and delivering singing telegrams.

After winning the lead role in a play, acing a spelling test, and finding money, second-grader Ellie wonders if the Critter Club animal shelter's newest animal - a little pink pig - is bringing her good luck. - Provided by publisher.

"Amy has never liked being in the spotlight. When all her friends decide to form a team for the Santa Vista Quiz Bowl, Amy's not so sure. She knows she can answer the quiz questions...but can she do it in front of hundreds of people? Meanwhile, The Critter Club is caring for some chickens who need a home. As the Quiz Bowl approaches, Amy herself starts feeling just a little bit chicken!"--

"When Ellie learns that her cousin is getting married, she's really excited! She has always wanted to go to a wedding. But then she gets even better news when her cousin asks her to be a flower girl! Then the Critter Club gets the cutest guest Ellie has ever seen: a little French bulldog. Ellie works hard to find a home for the puppy, but she's worried she won't be able to. Suddenly she has an idea that will guarantee that the puppy lives happily...

"Liz has been assigned a class project that's perfect for her. She has to create a diorama of an animal habitat! Art plus animals? What could be better? Well, things could be better if Liz's new neighbor and classmate was a little nicer to her ... and a little less nosy!" -- Back cover.

When Ellie joins a softball team, she quickly realizes that the sport is harder than it looks! Is she meant only for the stage, not the field? And what happens when Ellie goes searching in the woods near the field for a stray ball and finds an injured baby deer?!

Liz and her friends are spending a fall weekend at the cabin at Marigold Lake, planning to bake pies and enjoy nature, but Lizzie forgets to put sugar in her berry pie--a mistake which proves fortuitous when she needs a lot of berries to feed a migrating goose who has fallen behind his flock.