For as long as thirteen-year-old Ruby can remember, her mother has suffered from a strange illness that strikes without warning and causes her to sleep for days on end. Her dad copes by escaping to his workshop. Ruby is on her own. She and her loyal dog Socks spend most of their time exploring the nearby forest. When she discovers that street-wise Taz also hangs out in the woods, her predictable life begins to unravel. Drawn into Taz's world of lies and secrets, Ruby spins her own fragile web of dishonesty to cover her tracks. Lacey, Ruby's best friend since kindergarten, seems to have it all – plenty of friends, great clothes, a wonderful family. But Ruby grows increasingly aware of their many differences. She begins keeping her distance. At the same time, she learns that her parents have been hiding a tragic secret. Without the support of Lacey's friendship, Ruby is more isolated and alone than ever. A break-in at Driftwood Middle School triggers a string of disasters. Jolted out of her misery, Ruby is determined to unearth the truth – about Taz, about her parents, about herself. Content Warning: This book contains scenes of touching which could be emotionally difficult for some readers.
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