The fifteen-year-old who was the very first immigrant of any nationality to land at the famous handling station at Ellis Island, New York has now become a young woman of twenty. Annie returns to New York and her family and friends after her two-year stay in the wild west. She is excited by all the opportunities New York has to offer her, but especially by the prospect of spending more time with Mike Tierney, the young man she loves. The glamour of New York life is seductive, although it contrasts sharply with the poverty all around. Annie sees both sides of the city, and must decide where her loyalties lie. At the same time, Mike is campaigning in a presidential election while Annie fights for women's right to vote. Then, just when life seems to be going right, war intervenes, taking Mike far away into great danger. Annie discovers that there is sorrow as well as joy in growing up and that some things are irreplaceable.