"We'll spend the whole summer on the farm with Uncle Ross. I ought to make up something special just because we've never ever gone alone like this!"

Elizabeth gives herself and her younger brother, John, new names--Geeder and Toeboy--for their summer away from home and looks forward to months of making up new stories.

The farm is special, with its pump house, pond, and especially the prize razorback hogs that belong to Nat Tayber and his daughter, Zeely. Zeely Tayber is tall and dignified, unlike anyone else in the small town. Geeder is fascinated. And when she finds a picture of a Watutsi queen who looks like she could be Zeely's twin, Geeder knows she is in the presence of royalty.

But could the truth be even more interesting than make-believe?