When Betsy arrives in New York after a tour of Europe, her old flame Joe Willard is waiting for her and asks her to marry him.

This historical novel set at Old Fort Snelling in the 1830's is a rich and romantic re-creation of the early settlement period in Minnesota's history. Maud Hart Lovelace's careful research into the documents of the Historical Society, combined with her knowledge of the actual setting, enabled her to write a story that conveys a sense of time and place both accurate and compelling for young adults as well as general readers.

Betsy Ray finally gets together with her longtime love interest, Joe Willard. Unfortunately an old friend comes calling for Betsy and she is torn between the two men.

A Queen of Summer is going to be crowned on Hill Street. Betsy and Tacy want Tib to be queen, for she looks just like a princess. Yet Betsy's older sister, Julia, has other ideas. To get votes for the election, Betsy, Tacy, and Tib go over the Big Hill to Little Syria. There the three girls make a new friend and find a way to choose a queen.

Betsy Ray first sails for Europe to try to forget Joe Willard and then returns home to begin a new life as she and Joe are finally married.