Twelve-year-old Hana is anticipating a miserable summer, but when she discovers her favorite teacher, Mr. Crane--David--sitting alone on the beach, things suddenly start to get much better. Mr. Crane has come to Cape Cod to decide whether he should return to teaching in the fall. And, much to Hana's surprise, the young teacher actually values her opinion. Accustomed to being treated like a baby by her family, Hana blooms in the warmth of Mr. Crane's attention. But when her mother misinterprets her relationship with David Crane, Hana is forced to stand up for herself while dealing with her own strong and confusing feelings--a struggle that pays off in unexpected ways.