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 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.

The introductory book of the Beany Malone series. Mary Fred spends the fifteen dollars that is intended for a new formal to buy her beloved Mr. Chips, a lame horse. Elizabeth's husband, Don, is sent overseas, and a weak and wan Elizabeth arrives at the Malones' with her two-week-old son, Martie. When Mr. Malone is called away on business for the Call, the children's step-grandmother, Nonna, arrives to "run" the household and shower them with gifts. It is quickly evident that Nonna has earned her title as "the iron hand in the velvet glove." When Nonna provides Mary Fred expensive new ...

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?

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.

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?

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?

Beany and the Beckoning Road (1952). Beany believes that she has lost Norbett to another girl: Cynthia. She and Johnny plan to drive from Denver to California to return their nephew to his parents and advertise for passengers to share the travel expenses. What a surprise for Beany when she discovers that one of the passengers is Cynthia. What will happen to a mismatched set of passengers with very little money and a tomato plant in the back seat?

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!

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 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?

Katie Rose finds that Rita Flood, whom she has never liked, is seeking her help to protect her youngest sibling, Lennie Flood from their eldest brother, Irv who will be returning home from reform school. Stacy and Bruce begin to have difficulty as Bruce is perplexed by Stacy's desire to associate with people who he considers to be lowlifes. Ben's personality begins to change as he becomes involved with a slinky carhop named Holly.

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?

Bruce Seerie shows a dramatic personality change as he is torn between his mother and his girlfriend, Stacy Belford. Bruce's difficulties lead to his drinking heavily and isolating himself from friends and family. How will Stacy cope with the circumstances?