Fawn Creek, Louisiana is the quintessential sleepy, southern, small town. Nothing ever seems to happen, and everything always seems to stay the same. That is until Orchid Mason, a new 7th grader moves to the area. Orchid’s tales of living in cities across the globe enthrall Fawn Creek’s young people, giving them hope that they can break free from their community’s small, confining expectations.

After Hurricane Leo wreaks havoc on the small town of Canaan, a group of friends – Evan, Jason, Mitchell, and CJ – meet to survey the damage inflicted on their makeshift fort in the woods. At first, the friends are irritated when Evan brings Ricky, the new kid to town. Soon, their annoyance is mostly put aside after Ricky discovers a metal door recently uncovered by the hurricane’s destruction.

When the coronavirus starts to spread in Asia, the Wei-Evans family, an Asian American family living in Hong Kong, is faced with a dilemma: do they stay or leave? The kids, son Bowen, son Knox, and daughter Lea, struggle to understand the significance of the decision’s consequences. Their mother soon decides to move them all, with the exception of their father, back to the United States.

Mimi’s parents run a Greek restaurant, and when faced with financial difficulties, they must move the family from Massachusetts to Wilford Island, Florida. Mimi holds tight to her hope of playing piano in the Young Artists competition at Carnegie Hall, but everything else is different: new school, no friends, and a balmy climate.

Omar, a son of a servant, has an opportunity of a lifetime. His scholarship to Ghalib Academy Boarding School can provide him with the education, resources, and network to change is place in Pakistani society. When Omar arrives, he quickly learns that his status as a scholarship student prevents him from benefiting from the amazing opportunities Ghalib affords its wealthy, tuition-paying scholars.

For Rory, middle school means a host of changes: new students, new teachers, and new bullies. Meanwhile, his new speech teacher helps him navigate more than just his saying his r’s. From complicated feelings about his ex-best friend to a growing interest in hard rock to learning about boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Rory takes on unforeseen challenges and learns what it means to be a good person, no matter who needs support.