Martha is not happy that summer will bring noisy weekly fireworks shows that will hurt her sensitive ears, so she organizes the local dogs to help Mrs. Demson's petition drive to get them banned, only to realize how unhappy that will make Helen.

Lucy Bluecrowne is beginning a new life ashore with her stepmother and half brother, though she's certain the only place she'll ever belong is with her father on a ship of war as part of the crew. She doesn't care that living in a house is safer and the proper place for a twelve-year-old girl; it's boring. But then two nefarious strangers identify her little brother as the pyrotechnical prodigy they need to enact an evil plan, and it will take all...