[1] Eric Wiggin, a grand-nephew of the author, wrote updated versions of several Rebecca books, including a concluding story.

The novel opens with Rebecca's journey from her family's farm to live with her two aunts, her mother's older sisters Miranda and Jane Sawyer, in their brick house in Riverboro.

The family is quite poor, due to the number of children, Mr. Lorenzo DeMedici Randall's inability to stick to a job, and the farm being mortgaged.

Rebecca's stay with her aunts is a chance to improve her opportunities in life and to ease the strain on her family's budget.

Miranda and Jane had wanted Hannah, the eldest sister, because of her household skills and pragmatic nature, but her mother needs her at home for the same reasons and sends Rebecca instead.

She applies for a teaching job in Augusta, but her mother has an accident and Rebecca must go home to look after her and the farm.

A railway company will buy Sunnybrook Farm for construction purposes, which will give the Randall family a sufficient living, and Miranda's will provides Rebecca enough money to become an independent woman who can help her siblings.

"[6] In 1976 TV Series [Good Times S3Ep21] Michael reveal that Thelma broke curfew; JJ makes a reference by saying”Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm has finally stepped in it.” In the 1997 episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer titled What's My Line?

Part Two, antagonist vampire, Spike, refers to Buffy, who lives in Sunnydale, as "Rebecca of Sunnyhell Farm.