The book follows a ten year-old American girl named Jane who lives with her mother, a pediatrician, in Atlanta, GA. When Jane’s mother is chosen to go to Uganda for the summer to help cure sick children, she decides to take Jane with her.

Jane’s world is turned upside down as she travels to Uganda with her mother, living with a local family in a house without electricity or running water. With the help of her host’s young daughter, Nakato, Jane learns about Ugandan culture and important lessons about friendship and her own values.