1874. Growing up in extreme poverty in London, Pearl thinks life can get no worse. But when her parents decide to send her and her younger sister Eliza to the workhouse, they are forced into a new life of hardship and struggle.

Pearl's hopes are raised when the workhouse offers the sisters a new life in Canada, and they board an orphan ship transporting unwanted children across the seas. But will Canada really be the happy new start the sisters hope for?