England, late 1930s, and Alice Wright makes an impulsive decision to marry wealthy American Bennett Van. But stuffy Baileyville, Kentucky, where her husband favours his work and overbearing father, is not what she had hoped for. Then she meets Margery OHare, troublesome daughter of a notorious felon. Margerys on a mission to spread the wonder of books and she needs Alices help. Trekking through mountain forests under big open skies, Alice, Margery and their fellow sisters of the trail discover freedom and friendship. But when the town turns against them, will their belief in one another and the written word be enough to save them?