Devastated by the death of her mother and disappearance of her father, young and frightened Hannah Monroe is taken from her home and sent by train to an unknown destination. Over two hundred thousand orphaned and abandoned children rode the Orphan trains from the mid-1800’s until 1930. These children were placed with families along the various routes.

On the first leg of her trip Hannah makes a friend – Teddy Smith – but the two are soon separated. Hannah feels she’s lost the only friend who understands the disability with which she was born. They’d made a promise to find her father and reunite someday.

Upon arriving in Texas Hannah meets the Logan family, who take her into their home. She encounters more obstacles when she enrolls in school and is accused of cheating on a test. She must defend herself against the charge and the school bully. Hannah and the townspeople find themselves caught up in a tornado, which in the end changes Hannah’s life completely.

Discovering a talent for music, Hannah’s star rises. This talent, along with her determination and zest for life, leads Hannah on a journey of fulfilling promises made long ago to herself and others.