Rebecca Rubin longs to be the center of attention, but it's not easy in a family of five children! When mysterious cousin Max, the actor, tells her the secret to pleasing an audience, Rebecca can hardly wait to try it out. Then she learns that her young cousin Ana and her family are in danger—they must escape Russia and come to America. Rebecca decides to raise money for their passage by putting on a show right in her New York City neighborhood-until her disapproving grandmother steps in. Unexpectedly, Rebecca finds another way to earn money. But she knows that for her plan to work, she'll have to keep it a secret.

At last, cousin Ana has arrived at Ellis Island, and Rebecca can't wait to meet her. She's sure they'll be just like sisters, doing everything together. It's crowded with two families in one small apartment, but Rebecca is happy to share everything with Ana, even her clothes! At school, Rebecca is determined to help her cousin learn English and keep up in class, in spite of the other kids' teasing. But when the teacher tells her to include Ana in a special performance, Rebecca panics—Ana's broken English will ruin the show! Rebecca realizes this is one thing she does not want to do with her cousin. But how can she explain this to Ana?

Rebecca's teacher assigns the class to make Christmas decorations—but Rebecca's family is Jewish and doesn't celebrate Christmas. Her teacher tells her that Christmas is a national holiday, for all Americans to celebrate. Although her parents came from Russia, Rebecca knows she's as American as anyone else, even without celebrating Christmas. Could her teacher be wrong? If Rebecca does the project, her family is sure to be upset; if she doesn't, her teacher will be displeased. Then, on the first night of Hanukkah, Rebecca finds kindness in an unexpected place—and learns the real meaning of the holiday season.

On her tenth birthday, Rebecca can hardly believe it when cousin Max invites her to join him for a day at his movie studio to watch a movie being made! Although her parents don't approve of actors or movies, Mama relents and says Rebecca may go. At the studio, Rebecca meets the glamorous Lily, a real movie star. When the camera begins to roll, Rebecca knows she must sit quietly and watch. Suddenly, the director shouts "Cut!" and Rebecca finds herself facing an opportunity she never imagined in her wildest dreams. Does she have the nerve for it? And what would her parents say if they knew?

Rebecca is thrilled to spend a day at the Coney Island amusement park with her cousins. If only Papa hadn't put her bossy brother Victor in charge of all the games and rides! Fuming, Rebecca resolves to show Victor that girls can do anything boys can do. When the boys tease and laugh at her, she and Ana decide to leave their brothers and have fun on their own. Then the Ferris wheel gets stuck and Ana disappears—and the girls get more excitement than they bargained for. Includes an illustrated "Looking Back" section about Coney Island in 1914.

"Let's make a movie!" Rebecca thinks this is a grand idea, but when her gentle cousin Ana plays the role of a cruel factory boss, the fun turns sour. Once Rebecca learns the truth about factories, though, she begins to see why Ana acted so mean. A few days later, Rebecca visits the factory where Ana's brother and father work, and she's horrified. How can anyone work in such conditions? Is this the life that's in store for Ana? But as awful as the factory is, Tasha knows that Ana's father and brother desperately need their jobs. There's got to be a way to make things better at the factory—and Rebecca is determined to do her part, even if it means marching straight into danger.