Emily is shy and reserved. She has had to deal with a lot of trauma growing up in 1940s war-torn England, and this has made her withdrawn and cautious. But she is learning to come out of her shell and get involved in all the adventures her friend Molly is always dreaming up.

Emily is ten years old, living in England (and briefly in America) during World War II. But thanks to the special magic going on at Ravenhome, Emily can meet and play with many other girls (and boys) from different times and places.