"The orphans of Wanderville have decided never again to let themselves be misled by adults offering them shiny red apples and warm beds. They're going to make their way to California and establish a more permanent spot for Wanderville, one where the Society for Children's Aid and Relief (otherwise known as S-C-A-R) will never find them. But when the orphans are suddenly left without transportation, they must locate a new means of getting to their "town." Enter a dandy motorist with a proposition: If the orphans agree to take a mysterious gold medallion to the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair on his behalf, they will receive a handsome reward that will allow them to book passage west. With a particularly relentless S-C-A-R agent on their tail and little hope of discovering other travel money, the citizens of Wanderville conclude that the motorist's offer is their best bet. What they don't realize, however, is just how treacherous the journey to the fair will be and how much they will need to sacrifice on the way to their new home."--Dust jacket.