Rachna Gilmore

Patience and love can build a clock and heal a heart.

Learning from her grandmother that her family was active in the Quit India movement of 1942, a rebellion against nearly two centuries of British occupation, gives fifteen-year-old Tara new pride in her heritage, but she still objects when her teacher implies she is not a "regular Canadian."

Veena and I'd been best friends for five years. Sure, I knew other kids, but I'd never hung out with anyone else. I've never been good at going up to kids and starting conversations. Or phoning them. What would I say'.. Veena, she understood me. She liked me, quiet and all. And she never freaked out about my spiders.

During a visit from her beloved grandmother, Gita realizes that her memories of India have faded and that America is her true home.

Recently immigrated from India, Gita is looking forward to celebrating her favorite holiday, Divali, a festival of lights, but things are so different in her new home that she wonders if she will ever adjust.

It's the Depression, but Red's family is managing better than most on their Prince Edward Island farm. Hard working and resourceful, they have enough to eat and to help others, even if at times they are mocked by their neighbours for putting education ahead of farm work. Eleven-year-old Red has plenty of chores around the farm, and the days can be long, but he still gets the odd break to go swimming or fishing, provided his homework is done ... But then Red's father's hand is seriously injured and the family's situation looks dire. Red steps up to the challenge, finishing the tobacco boxes that his father makes and helping shovel out a train that is stuck in the snow.