The adventures of five sisters and their little brother growing up in a Jewish family in New York in the early twentieth century.

When Jules comes to see her after his return from the war, Ella finds it difficult to have some time alone with him.

The continuing adventures of five sisters growing up in a Jewish family in New York in the early twentieth century. Ella finds a boyfriend and Henny disagrees with Papa over her curfew; a single uncle finds romance; World War I approaches and the family heads to Rockaway Beach to avoid infection during an outbreak of infantile paralysis.