Fourteen-year-old Emily is drawn to the treehouse in the backyard of her family's new home. That's how she meets her next-door neighbor, Rowan, who has been using it as a refuge, where she carves wooden animals and stays clear of her difficult father. Shy, imaginative Rowan is like no friend Emily has ever had. They get along-and begin to change each other's lives-because of what they don't tell each other, as well as what they do. For Emily has her own secrets, too. And some friendships have unspoken rules-rules that you have to follow even if your friend might not be safe...