For nine-year-old Flora Smallwood, Rosetown, Indiana, is full of surprises, many of the best of which happen at the Wing and a Chair Used Book Shop, where she loves to read vintage children's books after school in the faded purple chair by the window.

But lately, those surprises haven't been so good. Her dear old dog, Laurence, recently passed away. Not long after, her parents decided to take a breather from their marriage, and now Flora has to move back and forth between their two houses. Plus, she's just begun fourth grade, and it is so much different than third.

Luckily Flora has two wonderful friends--one old and one new. And with them around to share thoughts and laughs and adventures big and small, life in Rosetown still has many sweet moments--and even some very happy surprises!