Chapter 1 Summary

As the novel begins, seven-year-old Julie Trelling walks hesitantly toward some neighborhood children standing at the gate at her house. Julie had last played with these children in August but has been sick with the same illness that has claimed Julie's mother's life on this October day. Julie can hear the children whisper among themselves that they need to be nice to Julie, and then one of the children tells Julie that they know that she will not be living here any longer.

Julie screams at this mention of another drastic life change, when the last few days were filled with change and sadness. Julie's family's home has been filled with relatives and doctors and she knows that her father, Adam, is very quiet. Julie's screams send the children scurrying away. Her nine-year-old brother, Chris, who is nearby, calls to their older sister...