Julie Anne Haddock

Laura befriends a classmate named Amelia Bevins, who is ashamed of her obese father. When the man realizes how much pain he is causing his wife and daughter, he leaves them temporarily for a "business trip" that will change their family forever.

Tootie's talent for eavesdropping and gossip ignites feuds and places Mrs. Garrett's future at Eastland School in doubt.

After Natalie's first real date, the phone doesn't stop ringing with offers for dates from his schoolmates -- evidently he's given her quite a reputation for a "good" time.

Jo painfully learns the ropes of journalism when her enthusiasm for writing a "hot" news story turns into an opportunity for revenge against her journalism teacher.

"You take the good, you take the bad ... ." Originally set at the prestigious Eastland School for Young Women, housemother Mrs. Garrett is the caretaker and confidante of a special group of girls. Over time, this group shrinks to be centered on only four young women: wealthy and spoiled Blair, gossipy Tootie, eager-to-please Natalie and tough girl Jo. Over the years, the girls graduate from school, and the story lines evolve with them.