In June 1935, an 11-year-old girl named Turtle sits in the passenger seat of Mr. Lyle Edgit’s Ford Model A as they drive south through Florida. Turtle, the narrator, is on the way to stay with her Aunt Minnie Curry, short for Minerva, who lives in Key West. Turtle’s mother, Sadiebelle Gifford, works as a housekeeper in New Jersey. Sadiebelle reluctantly decided to send Turtle away when she took a job working for a rich woman who dislikes children. Mr. Edgit is a friend of Sadiebelle’s boyfriend, Archie Meeks. He agreed to drive Turtle to pay off a debt he owes to Archie. Both Archie and Mr. Edgit are traveling salespeople.

Sadiebelle has had several boyfriends over the years, but her relationships rarely last long. Living and working alongside her mother, Turtle has been treated unkindly by other kids for being a poor housekeeper’s daughter. Turtle now believes that most people, kids and adults alike, are “rotten.” Sadiebelle, however, remains hopeful that she and Turtle will someday own a home.

As he drives, Mr. Edgit compares Turtle and her cat, Smokey, to popular cartoon character Little Orphan Annie, who has a dog named Sandy.