Lyddie was working happily on her families' farm, when something caused her to be forced to move to the city. There she works at a mill with many other women. She meets another girl very much like herself, and makes friends. But the conditions in the mill are not healthy, and her friend is getting sick. Will Lyddie stand up to the mill owner and withstand the consequences? Will Lyddie ever earn enough money to return to her family and farm?