Sara Stanley is forced to move in with her deceased mother's relatives in the charming town of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island.

While Olivia's simple wedding plans get wildly out of hand once Hetty takes over and alienates everyone in the family. Sara trades places with a street-smart waif that passes as her double. She lands in serious danger when she runs away from home with Gus Pike. It ends with the death of Marilla Cuthbert.