Twelve-year-old Rinko is looking forward to her summer vacation. But when her mother asks her to spend a month helping Mrs. Hata, a widowed friend, Rinko is sure her summer will be ruined. Everyone has told Rinko Mrs. Hata is crazy, and a series of unpleasant incidents don't help Rinko's outlook. But by summer's end, Rinko comes to understand that people are not always what they seem, and what appears to be a "bad thing" can sometimes be something very good!