The Malones are eager to meet their Irish cousin, Sheila McBride, but find that she is not as they had envisioned her. Beany's attempts to "improve" Sheila's appearance and personality miserably fail. Beany takes her "do-gooder" instincts and assists Eve Baxter, an advice columnist for the Call, in the typing of her column. Beany ignores Eve Baxter's admonitions and finds herself in trouble. Also at risk is Beany's relationship with the contentious Norbett Rhodes. Will Beany be able to find Norbett's lost charm bracelet and save their relationship. . .?

It's summertime and Beany has a plan! As the upcoming editor of Harkness High's school newspaper, Beany's dream is to emulate her predecessor, the wealthy, sophisticated Jennifer, by providing a private rumpus room for undisturbed staff meetings. In an attempt to raise money for the rumpus room, Beany takes in boarders. Beany becomes involved with the varying problems of her three boarders: overweight Lisa, cocky Ty and introverted Miss Rutledge. Will Beany be able to resolve her own problems as she manages the problems of her boarders?

Beany, sixteen, is instructed by her father to look after the Malone family when he travels to Arizona to convalesce following a case of pneumonia. With protective loyalty, Beany's attempts to shield her family from pain and disappointment by locking up their hearts from potential threats. Mary Fred tries to impress a popular college sorority yet encounters many obstacles. Beany is infatuated with Norbett Rhodes, yet fears that the attention he pays Beany is an effort to make Mary Fred jealous. Johnny is distracted in his work of helping an aging newspaperman, Emerson Worth. Elizabeth, a ...

Norbett goes to a college in Ohio leaving Beany at loose ends. Martie marries a portrait artist, Adair, and the children (especially Beany) are disappointed that she lacks the matronly image and homemaking skills they had envisioned in their new stepmother. Feeling alone and somewhat rebellious, Beany joins a secret club called The Triple O, for "On Our Own." Beany is delighted to be paired off with the popular Andy Kern but soon realizes that the much admired secret club organizers have ulterior motives regarding their fellow club members.

Norbett returns to Denver, just as Andy gives Beany a special wristwatch. Beany struggles with choosing between Andy and Norbett. After becoming friends with Dulcie Lungaarde, a carhop at the Ragged Robin, Beany encounters much animosity from the students at Harkness as she attempts to help the brash Dulcie.

Katie Rose babysits for Johnny and Miggs Malone's infant daughter, Melody. While attempting to leave the remote farm, Katie Rose and the child are kidnapped and a suspenseful story unfolds.

A troubled Beany believes that she is a coward. After failing to help Miggs prevent a horse from throwing her, Beany unites with one of Andy's Marine friends, Tony Lombard, who is also deeply troubled. Each believing that he or she is of weak, cowardly character, they are drawn together in mutual misery. Will their unification be broken if circumstances change?

Gilmartin Ames registers at Adams and becomes Katie Rose's new dating interest. Katie Rose feels sorry for Gil as he tells her of his wealthy parents' neglect of him. Gil tells her that he was "born under a dark star;" Katie Rose attempts to help him, never realizing that her interest in Gil could cause her to choose between this boy and her personal values.

Many lives are touched by Andy's beloved sister Rosellen. Andy's bitterness and anger regarding Rosellen's illness threaten his relationships with Beany and his family. Rosellen's warm and loving influence positively affects many surly and unfriendly personalities at Harkness High. Johnny becomes infatuated with a bleached blond carhop named Garnet Storm who creates a great divide between Beany and Johnny. Will Johnny marry Garnet?

Nonna, the designing designer step-grandmother, offers Beany the wedding of a lifetime. Unaware of Nonna's ulterior motives, Beany relishes the planning of a grand wedding. When the elaborate arrangements cause a rift between Beany and Carl, there becomes some question as to whether or not there will be a wedding. Johnny further exacerbates the problem with his own brand of romantic impulsiveness. How can a society wedding and a community center in the stockyard district be intertwined? Another gem by Lenora Mattingly Weber!

A Beany Malone story: After graduating from Harkness High, Beany anticipates becoming a newspaperwoman by following in Eve Baxter's footsteps. She is shocked to learn that Eve Baxter is retiring to England and has a more experienced replacement for the writing of her column. What will Beany do for a summer job? How will Carlton help? Could Beany be seeing the boy-next-door in a new light?

Beany is in love with Carl and they are engaged to be married, however, they must wait a year and nine months for their wedding so that Carlton may graduate from college. Beany becomes envious of her friends as she watches Dulcie plan a flamboyant wedding and Kay returns to Denver with her new husband, Joe. When Kay and Joe move into the cozy apartment over the Malone garage, Beany becomes even more jealous and expresses her complaints to Carl. Beany's pressuring discontent creates problems for the couple.

Beany and Carl are the parents of young James William (Mister) and Mary Liz. Carl is devoting much energy to building his law career as he works alongside his meddling, pontificating Uncle Matthew. Kay and Joe return to Denver with their troubled son, Jodey. When tragedy strikes, Beany volunteers to care for Jodey, yet compromises her own physical and emotional health as well as her marriage. How will Beany and her young family be able to withstand the undue pressure?

Katie Rose's good friend, Jeanie who is adopted, fears that an unpleasant newcomer in town is her biological mother. Katie Rose takes the opportunity while her mother is away to run household in a "sophisticated" manner. Part of her motivation is in impressing a young restaurant management student named Perry McHarg. Will her use of more "refined foods" such as packaged cake mixes and frozen foods make the difference?

Katie Rose Belford is in her first year at Adams High. She is intent on being called Kathleen and takes on a sophisticated image in order to impress Bruce Seerie, a star athlete of Adams High. "Kathleen's" emotions and finances become quite strained as she lives beyond her means. Does the pressure become too stressful?