The construction of the narrative takes place as a series of vignettes, or the titular "fragments", of scenes from a young girl's life.
The novel tells a story of rage, frustration and neglect in Tracey's life, and her search for salvation in the face of tragedy.
Tracey eventually reveals a sexual encounter with "Billy Speed", the boy from her school who she likes.
Tracey fantasizes about starting a metalcore band with Billy under a stage name she's invented in her head, "Estuary Palomino."
She hints at the possibility that during a bad blizzard in her home city, Sonny may have wandered off and drowned in a nearby river.