Grove tenderly illuminates the essence of her magnificent characters, imbuing them with vivid, multi-dimensional personalities that unveil the rationale behind their unique decisions.

Victoria's Quest for Identity

At just fourteen, Victoria Moore finds herself on the fringes of her school community. A brilliant mind, she shines in the realm of science, finding joy and accomplishment in meticulously assembling her beloved bug and rock collections. As she embarks on a transformative summer at the farm, her initial attempts to reinvent herself falter. It is only when she confronts the reality that her scientific endeavors are a mask concealing her true self that she begins to evolve.

Sara and the Spotlight

Tory's sister, Sara—vivacious, egocentric, and ever-conscious of her appearance—has clinched a cheerleading spot for the upcoming seventh grade. She often morphs discussions into spirited chants. "We all do. Give me a D! Give me an O! Give me a D! O! Do!" she exclaims, as her endless need for attention wearies both readers and Tory alike.

Elijah: The Kindred Spirit

Elijah, also fourteen, crossed paths with Tory five years earlier, their connection instantaneous. Once on the farm, after overcoming an initial awkwardness, they recognize a shared bond as outsiders. Raised amidst the tranquil rhythms of farm life, Elijah's wisdom is rooted in understanding its perils and peacefulness. Though grounded by common sense, he yearns for fleeting moments of abandon.

Rennie's Hidden Struggles

At sixteen, Rennie has left school behind, sent to the farm by his single mother to learn new responsibilities after domestic missteps. He carries himself with a swagger that belies his internal uncertainties. To the cousins, he paints a rosy picture of his father, only later revealing the painful truth of feeling unloved and replaced by a new family, their promised dream vacation in Colorado now a distant fantasy.

Wisdom of Gram and Grandpa

Gram and Grandpa stand as pillars of adult wisdom and the structured unfolding of life. Once the elder cousins master the morning tasks, Grandpa entrusts them with these duties, moving on to more complex endeavors. Meanwhile, Gram acts as the custodian of the past, sharing with Tory a haunting tale of Americus, the spectral boy she believes haunts the round window of the deserted house.

Tory's Journey of Self-Discovery

As Tory navigates the summer surrounded by a tapestry of diverse personalities, she scrutinizes both herself and those around her, understanding her own strengths and vulnerabilities. She realizes the need to sever the sibling tie that binds her to Sara, stepping away from simply being a devoted audience to her sister's antics in order to seize control of her own life.

Bridge of Transformation

The three elder cousins forge an unbreakable bond one fateful day as they edge along an old, condemned bridge. Perched high above the river, Tory strides along the railing, symbolizing her newfound mastery over her fate. Rennie instills in her the courage to embrace risks, Elijah the foresight to gaze ahead, while she imparts the importance of seeking truth, confronting life head-on after shedding her protective shell.

The Weight of Responsibility

Tory confronts the precarious nature of recklessness when Sara nearly suffocates beneath a cascade of grain in a gravity-flow wagon. Having distanced herself from Sara all summer, Tory is wracked with guilt, questioning if her neglect spurred her sister's hazardous attempt to emulate rimwalking to gain acceptance. Through this incident, Tory hesitantly matures, grappling with the extent of accountability she bears for the decisions of others.