Orphaned as a baby, Betsey is taken in by her flighty maiden aunts. Totally smothered by their overly protective, but well intentioned determination to mother her, Betsey grows into a frail and timid little girl who completely relies on her "Dear Aunt Frances " . When one of the aunts is taken ill, Betsey is sent to live with cousins the aunts heartily disapproved of. There she begins a journey of self discovery and learns many lessons about life, people and relationships. Understood Betsy is one of the best children's books ever written. It isn't quite "Alice in Wonderland," but it is a close runner up. Loke the immortal "Alice" it is as interesting to adults as to children, if not more so . One can read it over and over and always enjoy it.