By the time Hattie is 14 years old, she has already experienced more tragedy than most people experience in their whole lifetime. Her parents, the aunt who raised her, and her little brother have all died.  Her only surving relative, Uncle Charley, is quite wealthy but doesn't like her; he has, up until now, made arrangements so that he would not have to take care of her. But Hattie's situation has become so desperate that Charley and his wife, Aunt Margaret, take her into their home. They believe charity to Hattie is their "Christian duty".

Having known only filth and poverty her whole life; Hattie has trouble adjusting to the incredible wealth that surrounds her now, as she still is trying to cope with the loss of her dearest family members. But Uncle Charley and Aunt Margaret resent Hattie's sorrowful demeanor; they feel she has plenty to be happy about. Hattie shares her bedroom with her sousin Sophie, but instead of becoming fond friends, the girls are at odds. Sophie believes Hattie should be happy and grateful that she has been taken in, and that she should not wear her troubles for all the world to see.

When Aunt Margaret has had her fill of Sophie's presence at home, she decrees that Hattie leave the house to attend Miss Bulkley's Seminary for Young Ladies. This is the same school that Sophie attends and the cousins finally begin to bond; Hattie, Sophie and Sophie's two best friends even call themselves the Quartette. Sophie's friends, however, don't really like Hattie, they merely tolerate her for Sophie's sake. Hattie tries hard to not make social mistakes and blend into an upper class world she has never known before.

Then a new girl named Fannie comes to Miss Bulkley's Seminary. Fannie, who comes from out West, sticks out even more than Hattie! She wears all the wrong clothes, and the pampered young ladies at Miss Bulkley's think she's as wild as a heathen. They won't have anything to do with her, except to make cruel fun of her. Hattie kind of likes her, but Sophie makes it very clear: if Hattie wants to remain part of the Quartette, she will have to shun Fannie.

Hattie knows that she herself would be as awkward as Fannie if Aunt Margaret hadn't picked out all her clothes for her and if Sophie hadn't smoothed out her path at school for her. Hattie doesn't think it's right to treat Fannie the way the other girls do. Hattie wants the right to choose her own friends and keep some of her own individuality. But if she goes against the wishes of Uncle Charley, Aunt Margaret, and Sophie, she'll be absolutely alone in the world. Can she afford to be friendly with Fannie and risk being shunned herself?

Hattie walks a very thin line trying to be herself and one of the Quartette, too. She does something innocently enough that mushrooms into a tragedy. Will she learn where her truest loyalties should lie? How will things work out for Hattie, Fannie, and Sophie? Read this book to find out.

   --- Reviewed by Tamara Penny