The president of Juxon is killed and his supporters are on a murderous rampage, plunging the small country into instant civil war. As the headmaster of a prestigious school and a high profile target for the insurgents, Frederick Wiggins and his family are forced to flee their comfortable lifestyle. Fourteen year old Luther's highest value, his family, is immediately challenged when they have to leave without his eight year old sister Ellie, who is sleeping over at her grandmother's in the next town. As the conflict escalates, the family has to adapt constantly to deal with petty hostilities as well as the lack of humanitarian assistance. After a humbling experience with some soldiers, Luther is determined to become street wise. During a major clash between the rebels and the army, they have to flee yet again, this time into neighbouring Belling. All they have is the clothes they are wearing. Now they too must live in a refugee camp. Here they live for nearly a year, surviving and dealing with crisis after crisis. A final catastrophe splits the family. Again, it is Luther's focus on his highest value that keeps him going when wandering in the forest, searching for his errant older sister. Finally, recovering from his ordeal in the forest, he is helped to come to terms with his new life.