Ruthie Smithens, a girl who believes in fairy tales and happy endings, would do almost anything to help her best friend, Kit Kittredge, whose family has been hard hit by the Depression. But Ruthie has learned the hard way that offers of help, even between friends, are tricky. When Ruthie finds out some bad news about the Kittredges" house while at her father"s bank, she has to find a way to help the Kittredges reach Kit"s Aunt Millie, so that there can be at least the chance of a happy ending!