When Ellie McDoodle signs up to help with her school's production of The Wizard of Oz, she gets more than she bargained for as she helps paint sets, plan costumes, and cast the show, which leads to her first big fight with best friend Mo.

Ellie pet-sits for her neighbor's African grey parrot Alix, about whom she is writing a report, while her family argues over whether to get a cat or a dog, and her little brother accidentally lets Alix out of his cage, all of which is chronicled in Ellie's ever-present sketchbook.

Ellie McDoodle is excited about starting a school newspaper and serving as editor, so when her friends and family convince her to run for class president--against her new crush, Jake--she is disappointed to have to give up the job temporarily, but is soon caught up in making posters and speeches and getting to know Jake better.