In order to earn money to purchase a new dog for her brother, Sarah Ashley takes a summer job as a baby sitter for the disagreeable Suttons who spend their summers on an island off the coast of Maine. Wendy, Sarah's charge, is a spoiled nuisance who eventually forms an attachment to her sitter, while Marcia Sutton, Sarah's snobbish schoolmate, forms a similar attachment after Sarah saves her from drowning. Nothing however can satisfy the moody Mrs. Sutton who alternates between temper outbursts and placating apologies. Some rewarding friendships evolve between Sarah and the year-round natives and she is instrumental in encouraging good relations between them and the summer residents. As a messenger of good will, Sarah does succeed in winning over the Suttons, but one wonders why she bothers. No important character changes are effected although Sarah will certainly gain the sympathy of her readers.