Montgomery, tired of writing her better known Anne of Green Gables series, created a new heroine,[1] a young orphan girl named Emily Byrd Starr.

Emily Byrd Starr longs to attend Queen's Academy to earn her teaching licence, but her tradition-bound relatives at New Moon refuse.

Emily's friendship with Ilse Burnley is tested by Evelyn Blake, the school's would-be writer, who is jealous and condescending.

Emily vanquishes her once and for all when she finds physical proof that Evelyn plagiarized an old poem to win a school contest.

Emily refuses a proposal from her childhood friend Perry Miller, and her cousin Andrew, but continues her long-lasting friendship with Dean Priest.

After much thought and hesitation, Emily chooses to remain at her beloved New Moon, intent on finding fame her own way.