Elnora Comstock must choose between her dreams of attending high school or helping her widowed mother's struggle to keep their farm. Through the help of Mrs. Porter, a naturalist and photographer, Elnora is encouraged to reach her goals.

Follows the Camden family, with Eric, the minister father, and Annie, the stay-at-home mom, and how they deal with the drama of having seven children. The kids range in age from toddlers to adults with families of their own. The friends, neighbors, and love interests of the various members of the family are heavy issues and are addressed in a real-life matter.