Rosemary Wells

"Despite his sister Ruby's admonitions, Max waits up on Christmas Eve to see Santa Claus coming down the chimney." --

Feeling neglected, Nora makes more and more noise to attract her parents' attention.

"Max and his sister Ruby go on an egg hunt and vie with each other for the prize--a chocolate chicken."--

When the Depression hits in Cairo, Illinois, and Oscar Ogilvie's father must sell their home and vast model train set-up to look for work in California, eleven-year-old Oscar is left with his dour aunt, where he befriends a mysterious drifter, witnesses a stunning bank robbery, and is suddenly catapulted onto a train that takes him to a different time and place.

Max makes an earthworm cake for Grandma's birthday and help Ruby with her angel surprise cake. At the store, the grocer can't read all of the shopping list, until Max solves the problem by drawing a picture.

Brokenhearted when her best friend departs for the summer, Ivy spends her own summer caring for animals in the mid-century Southwest, sharing her season of discovery with a stubborn pony, a mischievous puppy, and a scarred racehorse.

At bedtime, Grandma tells Max and Ruby three favorite stories about themselves

"While the popular Tiffany and athletic Charles make increasingly outrageous promises in their campaigns for President of Canine Country Day School, Otto quietly enters the race, vowing only to try to do what students really want." --

Two boys stumble upon the remains of an ancient underground civilization.

Max's big sister Ruby is determined to help him clean up his messy room, but he keeps rescuing things that she wants to throw away.