The story tells about thirteen-year old Jenna MacDonald, whose father is in prison for murder.  Mom's "don't tell" rule requires that Jenna and her brother fabricate stories about their dad. Jenna, her brother, and her mother have moved in with grandparents to live closer to McNeil Island where her father is incarcerated.  Being half Native American contributes to Jenna's difficulty in trying to make new friends and to fit in with a group at school.

During a visit to the prison on the first day of summer vacation, Jenna dives into the water to rescue a small girl when she falls off the dock at the prison. When the Department of Corrections investigates the accident, the publicity threatens to expose the story of Jenna's dad to all her new friends at school. Jenna's mother is upset because her actions have called attention to their family, and now Jenna questions her own decision to rescue the drowning child. Why did I do such a dumb thing?

Jenna longs for a friend that she can talk to about her feelings, but when she tries to join one of the racially-mixed "in" groups, they ask questions about her family, bringing the tensions between Jenna's need for acceptance and her mother's desire for secrecy to a head.

Jan Walker's plotting and characterization skills are exceptional.   You can really feel Jenna's isolation and pain. This book would be a great addition to your children's library and a wonderful family night conversation starter to help promote tolerance and acceptance in your children.