•This report consists of five pediatric tumors of ovarian cell lineage.•These unusual, interesting tumors challenge both surgeon and oncologist.•Some appear malignant, seemingly require chemotherapy, but behave with benignity. Some are easily resected; others demand the utmost skill.•Complexity perplexes; elucidation is by selection - ignoring some things, attending to others.•Case studies illustrate - for good or ill - the process whereby clinical conundrums are resolved.