Harriet Flores feels alone, bored, and trapped in her family's new apartment. Her camp friends aren't replying to her postcards, and she's trying not to think about looming trips to the doctor. As the hot Chicago summer rolls on, she uses her imagination to escape the dull days - for better or for worse. Harriet fibs in her postcards, decides her mail carrier is evil, and wonders if the floor above her is haunted. She also spends time with her neighbor, Pearl. Pearl sees a storyteller in Harrier, even if Harriet pushes Pearl's books away and won't talk about her life either. With Pearl's help, Harriet just might see the power inside stories - and learn to share her own.