In the always-rainy town of Runny Cove, Isabelle spends long hours at the umbrella factory of the evil Mr. Supreme. She barely makes enough to support herself and her sick granny. Then a strange boy comes to tell her that she belongs somewhere else, somewhere infinitely better where family waits for her. Though Isabelle loves many things about sunny Fortune's Farm, she can't turn her back on the people she cares about back in Runny Cove, or can she?

This bright, charming book does a great job with the poor put-upon orphan story as Isabelle deals with both the ruthless factory owner and the greedy landlady at the rooming house where she lives with her granny. Plus, the non-human creatures bring a charming bit of humor to the story. From the slightly deaf elephant seal to the marmot with amazing throwing skills, they truly help the reader fall for this story. The story has a strong forward pace and an ending that is all the reader hopes for—funny, happy and completely satisfying.