Beverly

Beverly is a 14-year-old runaway who leaves home after the death of her beloved dog, Buddy. Beverly finds herself a new home with Iola, an elderly woman, in a sleepy beach town. Beverly runs away from her mother's alcoholism and neglect, searching for a place where she can feel at home.

Throughout the novel, Beverly grows into her own identity and begins to understand that family can be created anywhere with anybody. She forms friendships with new people as well as revitalizing friendships from home.

Beverly learns about and understands her grief from a more mature point of view and sees to it that her life continues on.

Iola

Iola is an elderly woman who lives in Seahorse Court in a pink trailer. Beverly runs away and begins to live with her, and Iola treats her as a daughter. Iola is grateful to have somebody to take care...