In 1825 when Josefina trusts a trader in Santa Fe with an important deal, she makes a surprising discovery about this young American who leaves town without paying her.
Shortly before the Revolutionary War, nine-year-old Felicity, who lives in Williamsburg, is torn between supporting the tariff-induced tea boycott and saving her friendship with Elizabeth, a young loyalist from England.
The outbreak of the Revolutionary War in 1775 brings drastic changes to Felicity's life in Williamsburg, affecting both her family and her friendship with Elizabeth.
Christmas in Williamsburg means a dancing party at the Governor's Palace for Felicity, but her mother becomes very ill and cannot finish the special blue gown.
Josefina and her sisters distrust learning to read and write, as well as other changes their Tía Dolores is bringing to their household, because they fear they will lose their memories of their mother.
Elizabeth Cole and her best friend Felicity are known as pranksters in colonial Virginia and their favorite target is Elizabeth's older sister Annabelle, but when Annabelle becomes engaged the girls get into big trouble.
Josefina who hopes to become a "curandera, " or healer, like Tía Magdalena, is tested just before her tenth birthday when a friend receives a potentially fatal snakebite.
When Tía Dolores, the beloved aunt who has cared for the Montoya family since the death of their mother, announces that she is planning to leave, Josefina and her sisters try to find a way to change her mind.
The second Christmas after their mother has died, Josefina and her three sisters find that participating in the traditions of Las Posadas helps keep memories of Mamá alive.