AutoAmerica, unknown time

The novel takes place in a future but unspecified version of the United States, now called AutoAmerica. Grant and his family live in an area zoned for Surplus housing. At the beginning of the novel, Grant mentions that Surplus mostly live in Flostam Towns, on houseboats, but his family does not. It is presumed that they live near the Flotsam Town, however, in either a coastal region or a part of the country that has been impacted by flooding. The town or city where they live is not named until Gwen attends Net U, and when a character refers to it as "SurplusVille" (121).

The backyard garden

The Cannon-Chastanets do not live in a houseboat like most Surplus families, but in a house situated on land inherited from Eleanor's family. For this reason, the family has access to a thriving garden in which Gwen and Ondi spend...