Adam Bates, the Land King of Hartley, Indiana, rules his 16 children with a firm hand and a tight purse. All work tirelessly on the family farm until the sons, at 21, are given 200 acres of land with a house and barn (they pay the taxes while their father holds the deeds). The daughters, at 18, get a term at Normal School to train as schoolteachers, a position they hold until they marry. Kate, the youngest, has always bristled at her father's preference for his sons but eagerly awaits her chance for further education. Her father has other plans: she will remain home to help her mother with the work. The wealthy Land King refuses to hire help.

For the first time, a Bates child rebels and is cast out. But Kate has her father's temper and will, qualities that will help and hinder her as she makes her way in the world. Blessed with prodigious energy, intelligence, and a willingness to work harder than anyone else, she also makes impulsive decisions with lasting, near-catastrophic results.

Gene Stratton-Porter has created a deeply human portrait of the remarkable Kate Bates and of her children and siblings. It's the journey of a woman who learns from her mistakes, and most importantly, learns to balance stubbornness with compassion, generosity, and faith.