Kit longs for a big story to write in her daily newspaper for her Dad—that is, until she's faced with news that's really bad. When Mother's friends lose their house and come to stay with her family, it's nothing but trouble for Kit. Then Kit's dad loses his business, and things go from bad to worse. Will life ever be the same again?

Kit hopes her father will find a new job soon so that things can return to the way they were before—with no boarders in the house and no long list of daily chores. But a visit to a soup kitchen shows Kit just how much the Depression has changed everything.

It's just before Christmas when Kit overhears the terrible news that her family may lose their house. Kit wants to earn money to help out, but she gets stuck taking care of cranky Uncle Hendrick and his nasty dog Inky instead. Kit and her best friend have had a fight, so she has no one to turn to. Can she still find a way to make the holidays bright?

Kit's tenth birthday is approaching, but the chances of having a celebration are pretty slim. There's no time to plan a party and no money either, since Dad still doesn't have a job. When Aunt Millie comes for a visit, Kit finds new reasons to hope. With her thriftiness and good ideas, Aunt Millie seems to be able to do anything—but usually in the most unexpected way!

Kit meets a young hobo who shares his exciting life on the road. When Kit decides to pursue some adventures of her own, her curiosity gets her into trouble!

When cranky Uncle Hendrick comes to stay with Kit's family, Kit is less than enthusiastic. With his gruff orders to Kit and fiery letters to the newspaper editor, Uncle Hendrick has even Kit losing hope for better times. But when he unwittingly gives Kit a great idea, she shows that even one girl can make a difference and proves that hope is definitely worth holding on to.

Ruthie Smithens, a girl who believes in fairy tales and happy endings, would do almost anything to help her best friend, Kit Kittredge, whose family has been hard hit by the Depression. But Ruthie has learned the hard way that offers of help, even between friends, are tricky. When Ruthie finds out some bad news about the Kittredges' house while at her father's bank, she has to find a way to help the Kittredges reach Kit's Aunt Millie, so that there can be at least the chance of a happy ending!

Through photographs, illustrations, and both factual and fictionalized anecdotes, shows what life was like in the United States during the Depression.

Each story reveals more of this resourceful girl who has bright hopes during the dark days of the Great Depression. The richly illustrated hardcover offers a glimpse into Kit's world. Inside, this book features even more full-color illustrations and words of inspiration that will delight girls who love Kit. Full set of books equals 440 pages