A mid-20th century, coming of age story about a fractured young woman who overcomes fear, accepts friendship, and finds the strength to surrender.

Franella Feddersen, although brilliant, relates imperfectly to others. Her mind, disorganized and unbridled, spews her chaotic thoughts like snowflakes in a blizzard.

She confuses her gentle father and frustrates her controlling mother. Franella Fedderson is a whirlwind to the people in the small fishing village of Port Alexander. They don't understand and cannot relate to her. Even before the dreadful accident that sent her to Sitka's Salvation Army Orphanage, Franella is friendless. What is to become of her?

From the towering coastal forests of Southeast Alaska to the slums of Chicago and finally the Dreaming Spires of Oxford, Franella Fedderson searches for an answer, although she is unsure of the question.

She longs to find herself, but Miss Ruth says that's not who she's actually looking for. Can Franella accept the losses in her life? Can she discover who she really is and experience joy and freedom?