The lives of four generations are told through ten stories that span the years from 1939 through 2006. The tales begin with Rose driving the library book mobile followed by the adventures of her son Merle Henry who loves to trap. Next comes Annabeth, Merle's daughter who enjoys fairy tales, and then there is Annabeth's son Kyle who finds a summer job at the library. Books and reading are integral to the lives of the family as the adventures unfold across the years.