At 13, Nissa grapples with her sense of belonging as she leaves her Louisiana home, where she feels out of place with her father and stepmother. Seeking connection, she moves to Chicago to live with her eccentric mother. This journey explores themes of identity, family dynamics, and the quest for self-discovery amidst contrasting lifestyles.
Set in 1933 Louisiana, the story follows eleven-year-old Nissa as she grapples with her mother's mysterious disappearance. With her mother gone, the townspeople speculate about her fate, fueling Nissa's fears and memories of their time together. The narrative explores themes of childhood distress, loss, and the struggle to comprehend complex emotions. As Nissa navigates her feelings and the rumors surrounding her mother's absence, she embarks on a poignant journey of understanding and resilience.
After breaking his leg, eleven-year-old Nate feels useless because he cannot work on the family farm in nineteenth-century Nebraska, so when his father brings home an orphan boy to help with the chores, Nate feels even worse.