One evening in 1970, at a small Midwestern airfield, nine-year-old Summer Wagner's life spins out of control. Separated from her immediate family, Summer is forced to live with her controlling Aunt Doris and Doris's snobby daughters. As the active and spunky Summer struggles to adapt to her new home, she sees her older brother Greg periodically, yet their younger sister April has disappeared. Receiving no reprieve from her oppressive living conditions, Summer develops a talent for hiding the truth.

In her junior year of high school, a dramatic turn leads to events that will change multiple lives. Told from Summer's point of view while undergoing therapy as an adult, this coming-of-age story follows her journey from friendless youth to belligerent teenager. Will enough of Summer's natural spirit survive the abuse she experiences to pull her out of her life's tailspin?