Emmeline (Em) Marrin lives in the America that we all know and love, with one exception. America has gone from a democracy to a monarchy, after a third World War. Em thrives on learning in school and keeping her best friend, Rose, out of trouble. She prefers books over parties any day, and can't wait to use her smarts on something other than school exams. However, after a disastrous school field trip, Em finds herself in a royal mess. Soon, Em's problems escalate from too much homework to saving a nation, and she finds herself learning that experiencing the real world is far more different, exciting, and dangerous than anything she's read in a book.