In her diary, thirteen-year-old Hattie chronicles her family's arduous 1847 journey from Missouri to Oregon on the Oregon Trail. In a diary format, this novel chronicles the hardships that pioneers endured during a trip west on the Oregon Trail.

In her diary, ten-year-old Hope writes about her life as a patriot in 1777 Philadelphia, as the Redcoats try to take over her city and defeat the Continental Army. Includes historical notes.

As Nessa continues to struggle since coming to Prairie River, and things aren't getting easier, she's having trouble making friends, her job as the town teacher is on shaky ground, and she learns that many people still have doubts about her. On a personal note, Nessa wants to be Ivy's friend, so she decides to tell her a secret, someone else's secret, and it swells into a devastating rumor. Professionally, Nessa is reinstated as the town's teacher...

Nessa prepares to celebrate Christmas with the Lockett family until someone from her past arrives in Prairie River.