Maiju and her family arrive to Yankee Mills, Minnesota as their first stop on their way to a new life. They are greeted by Maijus" mothers" brother, Uncle Olavi, and his wife, Marta. When the family first arrives in Minnesota, Maiju is extremely excited, but to her parents, Yankee Mills looks nothing like their home in Finland. These new found Americans travel many miles with their belongings, into the wilderness, hoping and trying to find the plot of land, they could claim. They find a plot of land that looks perfect for them. Hidden among massive trees and bushes, a Lake appears. Similar to everything they are familiar with back in Finland. Anything they need, the store owner from Yankee mills, Mr. Arnold lets them have, as long as everything is paid back in full after the harvest.
After months of hard, diligent labor, the House and Sauna are finally built. Is has even built a swing from a giant oak tree for Maiju. Right before Harvest time, An unexpected hailstorm wipes out their entire crop. Is and Aiti are stunned, they have no extra money and are still in debt with Mr. Arnold. So, Isa decides its best for the family if he moves to Yankee Mills for a while and works, just to make ends meet for his family.
Slowly, things start to become better. Maiju begins to be more distant to her mother, and wanders off, trying to find something to help her be closer to her father. Maiju finds a secret trail, that leads to a secret place, that resembles an Indians" ground. From what she hears, the Indians are bad people, and they only bring harm to whites. Maiju is so intrigued by this place, that she keeps going back, to see if there are any signs of life, and maybe a new friend. Maiju does find a friend. A little Indian girl. The two girls began to understand each other, though their cultures disapprove of it highly. Before long, the girl brings Maiju moccasins to prove her her friendship. Maiju convinces that the Indians are not bad people, but different.
