The book starts with Janie recalling as a toddler, almost drowning due to her heroin addicted mother's neglect.

Janie lives with her new parents for a time before a chance meeting with Harmon leads her to moving in with Mr. and Mrs. James after Mitch and his partner Shelly are arrested for drug possession.

The book concludes with Janie returning to Tuscaloosa to be with Etta but upon seeing her child living so happily, leaves her there and sets out to meet her own future.

Harmon James: An African American boy is Janie's foster brother who is adopted out and moves to Tuscaloosa.

Paul: A guitar player who briefly gives Janie shelter, food, and lessons in music theory, before expelling her for violating his "no-drug" rule.

"[1] while Publishers Weekly stated that "... young adults mature enough to bear the story's intensity will also likely recognize the characteristics of this deeply troubled girl from their own communities.