Amanda wants to do everything her big brother, Oliver, does. She wants to run as fast and jump as high, but it seems she never can. Is there anything Amanda can do as well as Oliver?

After clearing enough Ohio forest to build a log cabin in 1803, Pa sets off for Pennsylvania to fetch the rest of the family, while brothers Daniel and Will stay behind. But when Pa doesn't return, the boys must survive the winter with only an axe, two knives, a sack of cornmeal, and their ability to improvise.

Amanda Pig is going to be a first-grader This year she won't have to take naps, she'll play on the big playground, and, best of all, she'll learn how to read. But something is wrong, because when Amanda tries to read, she can recognize the letters but not the words Is first grade going to be harder than Amanda thought? Will she ever be able to read? Once again, Jean Van Leeuwen and Ann Schweninger create a funny, friendly, and kid-relevant world.