In 1918 Claire Welch, age 9, moves from the San Francisco Bay Area to the coastal town of Eureka, far to the north. She must leave her dearest friend behind. From there Claire heads toward a difficult life, traveling inland to Happy Camp, a small town in the middle of a huge forest. Near Happy Camp, in the Klamath River Valley, she faces the pain of loneliness and learns the true meaning of friendship. This novel, intended for children and teens ages 8 to 15, spans the years from 1918 to 1924.