Childhood can be rough on a kid. They're told to do this, go there, and so many other things they'd rather not do. 9-year old Paul rebels at having to make the long trip to visit blind Grandma Grace and her old house in the country. Paul would rather stay home with his friends, play with his trading cards, and swim at the YMCA. His 12-year old sister, Sarah, often tries to boss him around, causing a lot of friction. Paul's independent and defiant streek gets him a sprained ankle, stuck in a hollow tree, and other mishaps when he strikes off on his own into the acid bog and drumlin woods near Grandma's home. During hikes with Sarah, Grandma, and her guide dog, the lure and lore of the many wildflowers that grow in the acid bog, meadows, and drumlin woods captivate Paul, changing his attitude toward life as he discovers the botanist within himself.