When the nuclear power plant in Emily Shepherd's northeast Vermont hometown has a meltdown, she finds herself evacuated with the rest of her school -- as well as the other residents of the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont -- unable to return home. Both of her parents worked at the plant, and almost certainly died in the explosion. Even more upsetting, the speculation is that her father was responsible
for the catastrophe, with a history of being drunk at work. With no siblings and no extended family, she finds herself orphaned and homeless, and afraid for her life as the daughter of the most hated man in America.
Rather than remaining with her evacuated schoolmates, and taking her chances with the social workers, Emily runs to Burlington. Now, the teenager is alone and trying to survive while inventing a new identity for herself. Her life is theft, prostitution, and drug use before she meets Cameron, a young boy who is also living on the streets. In caring for Cameron, Emily realizes that she can't outrun her past or her grief and returns to the only place she can.
This is not a feel-good book, but it is beautifully written and compelling.
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