Thirteen-year-old Mary Lou grows up considerably during the summer while learning about romance, homesickness, death, and her cousin's search for his biological father.
Mango is invited to star in Yo, Romeo! in New York City, but must struggle to balance the opportunity of a lifetime with homesickness, insecurity, and staying close to her best friend long-distance.
A Japanese American man recounts his grandfather's journey to America which he later also undertakes, and the feelings of being torn by a love for two different countries.
Making his way to London through Eastern Europe in the wake of factory closings and his wife's death, Lev finds a job in a posh restaurant and a room in the home of an Irishman who has also lost his family.
Josephina, a javelina who dreams of becoming a famous ballerina, heads for California hoping to be discovered, but her cousin Angelina takes her to a talent agent who looks strangely familiar.
When Buster the dog's owner goes away for a few days, he sends Buster to Sagebrush Kennels for Cowboy Camp, where Buster is homesick at first, but then has fun herding balls into the corral, gathering sticks for a campfire, and making wanted posters with his pawprints.