In 1882, 12 year old Kate Cameron moved to Yale, B.C. because her father, John Cameron, was working to build a section of the C.P.R. along the Fraser River through an area entitled Hell's Gate. Her father has given her a diary in which she keeps her thoughts over the following year. Through the diary we meet Rachel, her best friend in Spuzzom; Toby and Andrew, her brothers; her new friend, Anne, and the local newspaper publisher, Mr. Hagan. During the year, Kate has many adventures which vividly illustrate the times in which she lives. The Governor General pays a visit to town. Kate excitedly awaits his arrival assuming his wife, Princess Louise is accompanying him. However, he disappointedly shows up without her. Kate continually observes the bodies entering the hospital close to their home and the injuries caused by blasting rock in the canyon to make room for the railway. A toothache overcomes her close to Christmas and she visits a dentist in New Westminster to have it pulled. She repeatedly struggles with her friend Anne's perception of the Chinese workers as filth and the two frequently bicker, one day being best friends and the next worst enemies. Her friend, Rachel, is sent away to boarding school in Victoria which starts a distancing between the two that Kate finds difficult. The biggest adventure however is when Kate and her brothers go camping. A forest fire breaks out near their campsite. Kate makes her way back to town and heroically saves a small girl from her burning house seconds before explosives stored in the building next door ignite. Throughout the book, the family deals with wild animals, freezing weather, prejudice and fear. All the while the nearby blasts constantly remind them of the risk involved in building the railway and the possibility of Mr. Cameron being fatally injured.

Emily Murdoch and her best friend Alice, anxiously await the May 24th celebrations. In Victoria in 1896, it meant a track and field competition, a regatta and the pageant or "sham battle" (the recreation of a battle). Emily is a very good sprinter and is eager for competition. However, several incidents cloud the excitement. First, as Emily's dad is concerned about their future, thinking an economic depression is inevitable, the bicycle Emily longs for has to wait. Their long time servant, Hing, has decided to leave his job and open up his own restaurant. Also, Florence, a new girl who appears to have everything, including a great bicycle, has moved to town. When Florence, who is also a great runner, takes Alice as her new best friend, Emily becomes jealous. The competition finally arrives, and Emily wins one race but loses the next when Florence pushes her. Emily tries to see past the incident but can't forgive Florence. On their way to the pageant, Emily, Alice, and Florence climb aboard the over-crowded streetcar. Florence apologizes for her behaviour but, before Emily can respond, the bridge the streetcar is crossing collapses and everyone is flung into the water below. Emily saves Florence's life by dragging her up onto a piece of floating debris. In the aftermath, Emily finds out Florence's dad was killed in the disaster. The event puts everything into perspective and Emily is able to forgive Florence. Florence, however, moves back to England with her mother. Before she leaves she gives her bike to Emily. Emily's dad also surprises her with a new bike, leaving Emily with two bikes. Emily quickly decides to give one to Alice as a symbol of their long friendship.

Noah's father has caught Klondike fever and decides to head north to find gold. Noah excitedly prepares to leave with his dad, except he doesn't want to leave his cat Shadow behind. At the last minute, Noah replaces a sweater in his pack with Shadow. When they are on the steamboat, Shadow gets away. Noah doesn't find her until they are disembarking, at which point his dad discovers Noah's secret. Noah gets to keep the cat as long as it behaves. The trip is long, miles of hiking and moving supplies, and it seems to take forever. When they get to Bennett Lake they have to build a boat. Shadow disappears. When Noah finds her, she's given birth to four kittens. Noah keeps the kittens a secret. The boat trip down the Yukon River is very rough, but then it calms down. When they arrive in Dawson City, his father loses hope because all the land has been staked except for a few claims that are more than they can afford. Noah has an idea. He hears prospectors talking about how the mice are taking over their cabins. Noah sets up an impromptu stand and sells the kittens, each for an ounce of gold. Noah's father is speechless at first and then he thanks his son. The gold means they can stay put for a while and make a home, a home which includes Shadow.

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