This is a charming and engaging story of a Catholic family living in Denver during World War II. The Malones - Beany (13), Johnny (15), Mary Fred (16) and Elizabeth (19) lost their mother several years before the story begins. Their father, Martie, is a respected newspaperman whose column is often assigned reading in the local schools. Mr. Malone is a loving father who frankly explains to his children that he's glad he doesn't have the means to spoil them, as he knows it's better for them to take initiative and responsibility for themselves. This first story focuses on Mary Fred and her adventures as a high school junior and the owner of a new horse. Mary Fred, Johnny and Beany all want to earn money for some pet projects, as so they decide to share the chores of cooking and cleaning rather than hire a new maid when "Mrs. no-complaint Adams" quits. When Mr. Malone is called away to Hawaii for several months, their grandmother Nonna, a fashionable interior-decorator, arrives with lots of nice things for the children...and her own ideas about how the family should live. Meanwhile, the most popular boy in school takes a sudden interest in Mary Fred. When Father sends three orphan children for the Malones to care for and Nonna wants to send them to an orphanage, some important decisions have to be made. Mary Fred eventually comes to a greater appreciation for her family and the things that matter most.