Because her family is in financial need, Mattie Brooks, a thirteen year old girl, becomes a maid at Paddock Mansion during the late nineteenth century. Although Mattie is reluctant to leave home, she makes the best of things. She helps a nine year old boy, Timmy, become the Paddock's stable boy. Because both of them have known financial struggles, Mattie and Timmy appreciate living among the wealthy. They have interesting, sometimes comical, experiences and they endeavor to serve the Paddocks well and to share their good fortune with others.

"The Paddock Mansion in Watertown (is) a real place that had maids and other servants. Edwin L. and Olive (Wheeler) Paddock built and lived in the Paddock Mansion, and Mr. Paddock truly was a banker. The late nineteenth century was a gilded age for Watertown. It was a bustling industrial city, thanks in part to power generated by the Black River...Olive Paddock bequeathed Paddock Mansion to the Jefferson Historical Society in 1922. The mansion still houses the Jefferson County Historical Society Museum. If you liked "Mattie: Life at the Paddock Mansion" you would probably enjoy touring the museum. The rooms and furniture described in the book are on display. " - From author's note.