In a series of powerful flashbacks, 12-year-old Gina tries to make sense of her family after the death of her troubled older sister, Elaine. Elaine's rebellious personality drives this gripping narrative as Gina struggles to understand her sister's destructive effect on their family. At the same time, Gina's older brother, Brian, gently guides her toward a better understanding of who Elaine was. But tensions mount as Gina's father tries not to deal with Elaine's death and her mother becomes more controlling. Finally a confrontation at school with difficult teachers and classmates forces Gina to face her emotions. This first novel, peppered with dialogue and sibling rivalry that ring true, is a sensitive and honest portrayal of a family coping with tragedy.