Martha, a dog who has the ability to speak, helps her family discover some missing art supplies so that the valentines can be finished.

"The football team's coach goes missing before the final game! Can Martha save the day before the Wagstaff dogs end up in the doghouse?"--P. [4] of cover.

"Martha worries that her recent bouts of bad luck might be contagious! Uh-oh. Martha walked under a ladder--and then she broke a mirror--so now she thinks she's jinxed! Helen tries to explain that all the accidents are just coincidence. But when a nearby toddler stumbles and a waiter takes a clumsy spill, Martha worries that her bad luck might be rubbing off on everybody else. Will Martha be spreading bad luck for seven whole years?"--Publisher.

Discusses the problem of maintaining a clean water supply and relates this issue to such topics as pollution, depletion of sources, and other environmental concerns.

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.

Martha and Skits take over baking responsibilities for mom when a last-minute order at the flower shop prevents her from finishing the cake she was making to cheer up Helen.