After Merry befriends Elton, an artistically talented boy whom some of her eighth grade classmates call retarded, she must find a way to prove that he is not responsible for the damage at the farm of her Amish friend, Rachel.

The Sugar Creek Gang's school gets a new teacher - a man. And that spells trouble. When their old teacher shows up to surprise them with a midday sleigh ride, things start looking up for the boys. Until Bill Collins throws a snowball that accidentally hits Mr. Black, the new teacher. Learn the importance of self-sacrifice as Little Jim offers to take Bill's punishment, even though he doesn't deserve it.

When the small plane which his uncle allows him to fly tumbles out of control, fourteen-year-old Jay relies on God's help to land the aircraft safely.