Teena is cast out of her home by Hurricane Katrina and sent by FEMA to a northern wilderness where she is forced to deal with rape, race, religion, responsibility, and unconditional love. It is a mature young adult novel for our time and place. Teena's trauma and immaturity is gradually replaced with adult sensibilities as she stubbornly survives on her own, makes Amish friends, gives birth, experiences love, survives grief, and finds a way to be happy and useful in the world through the help of a country midwife.