Life is good for Violet’s family in Salt Lake City during the early 1860s. Violet has a best friend, Mattie, who is like a sister to her. Then Brigham Young asks Violet’s family to help the Saints settle southern Utah and grow cotton. The prophet’s request comes unexpectedly, but they go willingly. Violet promises to write faithfully to Mattie and tell her about their adventures there.
Violet soon learns that life in St. George is much different than in Salt Lake City. Wild animals live in the hills, wood is hard to find, and between the dry spells and the floods, plants just won’t grow. Violet has a plan to get some flowers for their mother, though, resulting in a surprise for Violet’s whole family. [from publisher's web site]