After the death of their mother, 10-year-old Meg is left to take care of the children until their father, who’s away at sea, returns. He is expected any day, yet when his ship finally arrives, he is not aboard. There will be good days and bad days, but Meg’s simple, childlike faith as well as the kindness of neighbours and friends will help her through her trials and ensure the survival of little Meg and "her" children.

Sarah Smith (1832-1911), alias Hesba Stretton, was a British children’s books author. The daughter of a bookseller, Smith grew into one of the most popular Evangelical writers of her time. She first rose to fame with her "Jessica's First Prayer,' which she later followed with the sequel "Jessica’s Mother.'