Inge Maria arrives on a boat to the island of Bornholm in Sweden to live with her grandmother in 1911. Her mother has died and brave Inge has left everything she knew (color, laughter, music, art, the city and her mother) to come to a seemingly stern grandma on a rather gray, cold island inhabited by people who live by a rather austere code of conduct and just don’t seem to have fun.
Inge tries to fit in, but mischief follows her wherever she goes, beginning with her arrival, when a goat chews off one of her braids. There are incidents at school (a terrible place, where girls cannot play the fun games at recess with the boys and music is not allowed) and with friends, but slowly Inge begins to realize that her grandma is also grieving the loss of Inge’s mother (her daughter) and they begin to share a bond of mutual loss.
Change occurs and Inge and her grandma grow closer and Inge’s penchant for mischief brings the island’s residents some new fun, laughter and love. A classmate, who is also experiencing some difficulties in life, becomes a part of Inge’s life and new family.
This is a gentle story set in a time long ago, but the pacing of the story makes the reader want to know what will happen next to Inge in her new life with grandma. This is a wonderful book that is reminiscent of Ann of Green Gables.