Katy Carr is the longest girl that was ever seen. She is all legs and elbows, and angles and joints. She tears her dress every day, hates sewing and doesn't care about being called 'good'. Her head is full of schemes and one day she plans to do something important. But a great deal is to happen to Katy before that time comes.

Twelve-year-old Katy is a dreamer. She invents exciting games, faraway lands and imagines that one day shell be charming and graceful. But in the meantime she gets into all kinds of mischief until one day a terrible accident happens and life as Katy knows it turns upside down. Can Katy's boisterous courage keep her dreams alive?