Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don't own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn't he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty and fun in their routine and the world around them.

There are places that remind us of happy moments. Zoe, a little girl who has to flee from her city with her family because of a war, remembers them before she leaves. She uses them to draw a “map of good memories,” knowing that they will always be with her.

In the town of Palenque, hardly anyone can read. Mr. Velandia, the shop owner, is one of the few who knows how. When Gina begins to receive letters, which she suspects are love letters, her little sister decides to learn to read so she can understand those mysterious letters ... An endearing story by the renowned author Irene Vasco about literacy, which comes to us from a remote town in Colombia.

During the Great Depression Lydia was sent to live with her uncle Jim in the city. Through her exchange of letters with her family back home we learn how with enthusiasm, a smile, and her gardening skills she is able to transform the dark apartment building she lived in and put a smile on her uncle Jim's face.