In 1906, sixteen-year-old Mattie, determined to attend college and be a writer against the wishes of her father and fiance, takes a job at a summer inn where she discovers the truth about the death of a guest. Based on a true story.

In an upstate New York farming community, high school reporter Hildy Biddle investigates a series of strange occurrences at a house rumored to be haunted.

Caroline knows that in order to fight the British, her village desperately needs its shipyards and supply boats, and she will do whatever it takes to keep them out of enemy hands. Later, while helping on her uncle's farm, Caroline discovers that the war brings dangers there, too.