Chapters 1-5 Summary

The Mackenzie family was once wealthy, living in splendor in Scotland. However, trust in the wrong person has left them poor immigrants in America. Basil Mackenzie has passed away, leaving his wife Maggie with seven children to raise. Maggie is moving the children to Iowa from their home in Illinois in order to be closer to her eldest daughter who has married a young man with a farm in Blackhawk County, Iowa.

In chapter 1, Abbie lies in a covered wagon listening to her sister tell stories about the days in Scotland. Abbie is fascinated with her grandmother, Isabelle Anders-Mackenzie and a portrait her sister often describes of her. Abbie believes that she will one day be an important person like Isabelle Anders-Mackenzie, one who will sing on a stage, have her paintings hung in museums, and write words in books that...