In 1844, ten-year-old Josette travels through the wilderness to Copper Harbor, Michigan with her sister and brother-in-law, an officer in the US Military who has been commissioned to built Fort Wilkins in this remote part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It is not an easy journey aboard the sailing ship John Jacob Astor. Upon her arrival she explores her new world and is introduced to native culture, military life, and the dangers of the wilderness. Resourceful, open-hearted Josette gets in trouble. First she wanders out into a lake in a canoe, alone. Then she has an encounter with bears where she is rescued by an Indian girl named Maria and taken back to Maria's camp. The meeting and friendship of these two girls closes the gap of suspicion between the two cultures as they learn about each other.
The spirit of this pioneer girl and her many thrilling adventures is a boon to children's knowledge of American history. The factual content regarding Fort Wilkins, its officers, and daily life is historically accurate.
