After their mother's death, Olivia and Nellie go to live with their great aunt, where they slowly bring her overgrown and weedy old garden back to life, enabling them to adjust to a new life as well.

Many plants are useful to humans. However, some plants are very harmful. Just by brushing up against some of these plants can cause a person to break out in an itchy rash. Others are only poisonous if eaten. Some of these poisonous plants can make us sick

Describes the process of decomposition, discussing the role of decomposers such as sharks, vultures, and earthworms, and includes experiments demonstrating how decomposition supports new life.

Describes the climate, soil, seasons, plants, and animals of the North American prairie and the ways in which the plants and animals depend on each other and their environment to survive.

Describes the climate, seasons, plants, animals, and soil of the boreal forest, a biome or land zone, which stretches across the northern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia.