The novel explores earliest friendship and how it can affect us all through our lives. This is the story of a friendship that began in kindergarten. Cassie and Julia were inseparable for years, sharing games, fun, dreams and hopes. As the story of Cassie and Julia's friendship moves into adolescence the reader realizes that even when one grows up and shares so much with someone we may not know them as well.
In the summer before seventh grade the girls volunteer at the local animal shelter, hike in the woods and secretly visit an abandoned asylum in the woods that becomes their special place. Even during summer, Julia sees their friendshipchanging. Cassie and Julia begin to choose different paths. Cassie follows a rebellious path while Julia focuses on studies and thinks about which college. Friends change. Activities change. They have different school schedules. Nevertheless, Julia thinks about Cassie often.
When was very young when she Cassie lost her father. After years of just the two of them her mother now has a boyfriend whose presence alienates Cassie. She searches the internet, looking for her father and begins to believe that he is out there somewhere, alive. Meanwhile, the boyfriend and her mother restrict Cassie's activities more and more as they spend more time together. She is grounded harshly and for minor reasons.
In spite of their differences, Julia checks on Cassie. She discovers that Cassie's relationship with her mother is fading. Cassie feels the boyfriend has replaced her in her mother's affections. Her home life deteriorates until she runs away and eventually turns to suicide. Can anyone find Cassies and help her? Julia knows she will try.
In the summer before seventh grade the girls volunteer at the local animal shelter, hike in the woods and secretly visit an abandoned asylum in the woods that becomes their special place. Even during summer, Julia sees their friendshipchanging. Cassie and Julia begin to choose different paths. Cassie follows a rebellious path while Julia focuses on studies and thinks about which college. Friends change. Activities change. They have different school schedules. Nevertheless, Julia thinks about Cassie often.
When was very young when she Cassie lost her father. After years of just the two of them her mother now has a boyfriend whose presence alienates Cassie. She searches the internet, looking for her father and begins to believe that he is out there somewhere, alive. Meanwhile, the boyfriend and her mother restrict Cassie's activities more and more as they spend more time together. She is grounded harshly and for minor reasons.
In spite of their differences, Julia checks on Cassie. She discovers that Cassie's relationship with her mother is fading. Cassie feels the boyfriend has replaced her in her mother's affections. Her home life deteriorates until she runs away and eventually turns to suicide. Can anyone find Cassies and help her? Julia knows she will try.
