Thirteen-year-old Leni is coming of age in a tumultuous time. Caught in the riptide of her parents passionate, stormy relationship, she dares to hope that Alaska will lead to a better future for her family, and a place to belong. Her mother, Cora, will do anything and go anywhere for the man she loves, even if it means following him into the unknown.

As Leni grows up in the shadow of her parents increasingly volatile marriage, she meets Matthew. And Matthew thoughtful, kind, and brave makes her believe in the possibility of a better life.