Verbena is growing up in the mountains out east, the only child of parents who dote on her, especially her mom, who sometimes treats her like a baby. Verbena is not only embarrassed of the way her mom treats her, but, unfortunately, also about how she looks. Her mother is very obese and Verbena can't stand that classmates laugh at her. Add to that her trouble reading and terrible vision.... Verbie's problems are very real.
She is hoping for a fabulous summer until she discovers a terrible family secret, that has her worried. Are her sudden angry reactions a sign that she is like her Uncle Mike? He was just plain mean, and she has cause to believe she may have closer ties to him than she thought.
Her summer starts rocky when her best friend heads off to camp for the summer. Enter Pooch, a "low lander" spending time in the house next door. They become friends, even though Pooch initially believes her to be a ghost. They both have to face fears and come to grips with their own realities, as well as with the truth of family.
Well-written, engaging, serious, and funny all at the same time. It truly isn't so simple....
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