Twelve-year-old narrator Ember, her mother, father and seven-year-old sister, Ivy, are religious, but in a way that makes many people uncomfortable. They do "spells," and call upon nature instead of God, in a practice that her mother calls "Not Quite Wicca." When the family's trailer burns down--a suspected act of arson--they lose their home, their source of income and Ember's beloved dog, Widdershins.
Anson and Ember have been best friends since they met five years ago, but something wrenching has happened to tear them apart. As this emotionally nuanced tale unfolds, it becomes clear that Ember blames Anson for her great losses. With stringy hair and 15 extra pounds, Ember feels unattractive already, and her family's beliefs set her further apart. The family moves to a campground where she eschews any new friendships. Ember visits the trailer park on Wednesdays to collect relics that survived the fire, such as half a pair of scissors and Widdershins's collar. The one place Ember finds solace is while floating in the lake. She believes that "if I could just float for a while--just put my ears under where I couldn't hear the pop-sizzle-crack of burning wood," she could make it through another day. Her rage simmers while her family's hope falters and stalls.
The strain bursts during a storm that destroys life as they know it once again, but what it leaves in its wake is immeasurable. Ember realizes that putting forth positive energy, in any form, is the most powerful and healing force of all. --Bette Wendell-Branco, bookseller emeritus and reviewer