After her father's death and her mother's remarriage in Ireland, Clara's family travels to colonial Charlestown. Pirate attacks, tragic misunderstandings, and terrible storms leave Clara and her family in a town where they are unwelcome and struggling for survival. Torn apart by the loss of the one she loves, Clara finds distraction in the new world, a place teeming with eccentric characters and rich culture. This story, inspired by the struggles of America's first female professional artist, Henrietta Johnston, follows the adventures of an Irish girl thrown into unfamiliar territory.