When Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela asks her father why she has so many names, she hears the story of her name and learns about her grandparents.

"Thunder Boy Jr. wants a normal name ... one that's all his own. Dad is known as Big Thunder, but Little Thunder doesn't want to share a name"-- Provided by publisher.

A new boy named Matthew joins Mrs. Tuttle's class, which already has twenty-five students whose first names are Matthew and whose last names begin with every letter except Z.

Since Matthew thinks that changing his name will improve his life, he begins trying a new name every day, until he receives a special invitation addressed to "Matthew."

Disliking her name as written in English, Korean-born Yoon, or "shining wisdom," refers to herself as "cat," "bird," and "cupcake," as a way to feel more comfortable in her new school and new country.

Elizabeth is tired of everyone shortening her first name and calling her Lizzie, Liz, or Beth, but suffers in silence, until one autumn day when her impatience gets the best of her and she learns an important lesson about tact and grace.

Students respond, in rhyming text, to their teacher's question about what each calls his or her grandfather, offering examples of things they like to do together. Includes a list of "grandfather names from around the world."

Eight-year-old David is convinced that his life will be more adventurous when he changes his name to Ali Baba.

"Sona Sharma's house is full of people who joke often and argue sometimes. Relatives come unannounced, the phone rings frequently and friends drop in all the time. Then one day Amma tells Sona she is going to have a baby. Is that good? Sona isn't sure -- she has always enjoyed being an only child -- and straight away she has a word with her best friend, Elephant. When Sona learns that there will be a baby naming ceremony, she is determined to find...

In this story based on the author's childhood, a young Salvadoran immigrant is teased for having two last names until he presents his family tree project celebrating his heritage.