This is a story of a boy and his friends. All four of them go to the same school, live in the same neighbourhood and have similar interests. Ben, the hero of the story, is initially a slow reader, but we soon learn how he discovers the key and beauty of learning to read - and to master it. Ben is gifted with artistic skills, which help him to get through his exams with ease.

All four friends, and their dogs, have many adventures together, discover interesting things whilst they are all spending a holiday at a farm. There, they save the life of a boy, who is in danger of drowning in a nearby pond, and have many more adventures.

In the country, at Craggy Hill, they make some mysterious discoveries. Unfortunately, those things have to be postponed until the following year, when they shall return to continue the story.