As a three year old living near St. Louis, Missouri, Jerry is given an order by his father.  At the urging of older boys, he disobeys his father's orders.

As a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, high school student, Jerry is accused of stealing money as a part-time employee of a local YMCA.

As a Wisconsin tenth grader, Jerry gets caught up in hostile Juvenile behavior that provokes a punitive response from state government.

As a Wisconsin ninth and tenth grader, Jerry learns to cope with bullies.  His behavior reflects the many issues within the subculture of juveniles he inhabits.

As a sophomore at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, Jerry decides to hitchhike back to his old hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to spend spring break with his high school friends.  The hitchhiking adventure reaffirms the kindness of strangers.

As a ten year old living in Cincinnati, Ohio, Jerry intervenes when he observes an older boy trying to take a bicycle from a younger girl.  His intervention produces unexpected results.

Moving from Granite City, Illinois, to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1949, to start third grade, Jerry notes some differences in the beliefs the two communities have about children's behavior.  He considers informing his new elementary school that boys and girls happily played together on the school playground in Granite City.

Living in Granite City, Illinois, Jerry is with a friend cracking walnuts.  His friend becomes envious of his success and tries to exploit the situation.  Jerry's protests are unexpectedly supported.

As a four year old living in Granite City, Illinois, Jerry has trouble sleeping due to nightmares.  Once that issue is resolved he finds himself visiting the stars.

As a four year old living in Granite City, Illinois, after getting off a public city bus, Jerry gets lost walking to his babysitter's house.  A teenager rescues him.