Finley's Grandpa acquires a series of companions, including a finicky cat named Elvis, a new girlfriend, and a clever talking bird, but each one presents problems for Grandpa and Finley.
When his mother has car trouble, Zach is afraid that he will be stranded at his grandfather's new apartment with his younger brother, instead of going to his friend's sleepover birthday party.
Rosie plans to make her parakeet Winky Blue famous forever through a series of television commercials, but her hopes are crushed when he is lost on the way into New York City
The fictional journal of twelve-year-old Julio records the boy's experiences, sailing duties, and encounters with natives of the New World when he joins the crew sailing with Christopher Columbus.