In the summer of 1942, Belle excitedly awaits the arrival of her worldly older cousin, Caroline, who will join the family at their grandparents' island cottage in Michigan. Belle dreams of being introduced to French sophistication and style. But Carrie brings much more than that: She carries the troubling reality of the world war that is ravaging Europe. On quiet Turtle Island, a place where everything always stays the same, this one summer will bring about a world of change.

Set against the backdrop of breezy island cottages and a faraway war, this heartrending tale from National Book Award winner Gloria Whelan is the story of a beautiful place and a unique friendship—and how events thousands of miles away shape them both.