Katie Woo and JoJo wear their best dresses when they attend a performance of JoJo's favorite ballet, the Nutcracker.

Nearly-thirteen-year-old Melinda Jia Mackay was adopted from China as a baby, and she has always preferred to stay out of the limelight, reading and writing for her own pleasure--but now she has a summer assignment, so with the help of a new friend, Tyler, and a therapy dog named Odie, she reluctantly hits the streets of New York City in search of her "true passion," one which she can share with others.

Katie Woo and JoJo are thrilled to find out that butterflies flutter nearby even during the winter when they visit an indoor butterfly house. The two friends are surprised to discover the butterflies can fly freely around the visitors. What else will the girls learn about the beautiful winged creatures?