When she wins the lead role in a school play, second-grader Ellie neglects her friends in the Critter Club and their new animal shelter.

Collects the first four stories in a series about four girls who join together to form an animal shelter in which they help a lost puppy, some abandoned bunnies, a turtle, and a litter of kittens.

After winning the lead role in a play, acing a spelling test, and finding money, second-grader Ellie wonders if the Critter Club animal shelter's newest animal--a little pink pig--is bringing her good luck.

Members of the Critter Club are all excited about their summer plans until Liz learns that, instead of taking an art class, she will have to be in summer school to improve her math skills, but a fun teacher, a classroom pet, support from her friends, and advice from her brother might get her through.

"After helping a competitor in a styling competition, Marion tells the judges a little white lie to get her way and later feels guilty"--

Liz is excited that her three best friends are visiting her family's cabin at Marigold Lake, but something seems to go wrong with every activity she planned.

When Liz and her friends have a sleepover at the Santa Vista Art and History Museum, they investigate the source of strange noises they hear at night and get a big surprise.

As her friends in the Critter Club animal shelter care for colorful aquarium fish, second-grader Liz and her family spend a long weekend at the beach, where Liz rescues a baby octopus and competes with an unfriendly young neighbor in a sand castle contest.

"Ellie is paired up with a classmate, Paul, on a special dance number for the school play. But right from the start, Paul gives her the cold shoulder! Will Ellie and Paul be able to patch things up in time to take the stage together? Meanwhile, Marion, Ellie, Liz, and Amy rescue an adorable kitten named Tiger...but he can't stop causing mischief in the Critter Club barn! Can the girls team up to help Tiger--and find him a new home?"--Amazon.com.

Ellie's dream of being af lower girl comes true when cousin Hailey asks her to be hers in her wedding. Meanwhile, the Critter Club's newest guest is a little French bulldog. Ellie, searching for a home for the pup, accidentally stains her flower girl dress, and worries she has wrecked the wedding and may never find the puppy a home.