in 1935, 15-year-old tomboy natty gann lives in chicago with her unemployed widowed father, sol. after being out of work because of the great depression, sol applies for work as a lumberjack in washington. however, to take the job, he must leave on almost no notice on a company bus. unable to find natty before departing, he leaves her a letter promising to send her the fare to join him as soon as he has earned it. meanwhile, he makes arrangements with connie, the shallow and insensitive innkeeper of their rooming-house, so natty can stay on under connie's temporary supervision.