Kazy decides to run away from home with her little sister when Aunt Latimer's beatings become too much; their lives become a long journey in escape of their aunt in this story of 1600s girls who try to survive in England away from home. The protagonists are involving and the plot has several surprising twists and turns.

In 1628 England, thirteen-year-old Kazy Clare lives in theshadow of her mother, who died giving birth to her. Because of herstrong resemblance to her mother, it grieves her father to look at her; he will not even call her by her true name, Kezia, because it was her mother's name as well. And since the death of Kazy's stepmother, Eliza, a loving and cheerful woman who was the only mother Kazy ever knew, Kazy's father is filled with sorrow at the sight of his other daughter, six-year-old Beth, who resembles Eliza. He has handed the care of his daughters over to his strict and cruel sister while he immerses himself in his duties as a canon at the village cathedral. Aunt Lattimer beats the girls and denies them any simple joys and pleasures. When Beth becomes a pale, frightened shadow of her former self, Kazy decides she's had enough. She takes Beth and runs away into the countryside, hoping to reach their relatives. They must escape persuit and survive in a harsh world. But Kazy is determined for little Beth's sake. This was excellant as a historical novel, but the story of Kazy and her determination to protect her little sister could take place anywhere in any time period.