Eugenie and her parents believe that some people are inherently better than others, which is why they have to run for their lives from the chaos of the French Revolution. When they and other nobility arrive in America with the promise of a safe and luxurious new life, they are alarmed to find that their village has not been built. Perhaps, they think, everything will be better once Queen Marie Antoinette arrives.

Local Quaker families, including Hannah and her father and brother, have moved to the area to help build and to assist the French nobles. They believe that all people are equal, no matter how much money or status they have, no matter what color their skin is.

Through the cold, inhospitable northeastern winter, Eugenie and Hannah deal with illness and suffering in the village. They also realize that despite having been raised with very different ideas about how to treat other people, they both abhor the brutality the marquis shows to his black slaves.

The two girls find a way to cross the language barrier and cook up a plan to free the marquis’ slaves. But when the time comes to take action, will their boldness and courage be enough to overcome centuries of belief about inequality?

This is top-notch historical fiction. If you’re a Karen Cushman fan or if you like to find out about nearly-forgotten slivers of history, pick this one up.

Grown-up portion of review:

Echoes of Waiting for Godot, anyone? Half the cast is waiting earnestly for the arrival of Marie Antoinette to change everything, but in the meantime they themselves are changing.

Including a glossary of French terms would help kids get a bit more of a nuanced understanding of what the nobles are saying; the context clues weren't always quite enough. ( )