Cordelia's Journey, a coming-of-age novel set in Kansas Territory in 1855 traces a thirteen-year-old runaway girl's 150-mile journey down the Kansas River. Destination: her aunt in Westport, Missouri. Goal: To enlist her aunt in returning home with her in an attempt to save her mother's life. Fear of discovery and a lack of funds slow her down, even as events on the trail shock her into breaking her word and searching for quicker transportation.