Nettie Betts has a long list of goals to conquer before she starts middle school. Most importantly:

1. Finish the fort in the woods.
2. Get rid of Aunt Bethany.
3. Track down her runaway mom.

Number One is coming along, no thanks to Cole, her fleeting best friend.

Number Two is no easy task, as Aunt Bethany is looking to strangle her after Nettie snuck a garden hose through the window and drenched her while she sat on the couch.

Number Three is more of a life goal. Things are okay until Nettie’s dad’s truck breaks down halfway across the country.

From then on, survival becomes her top priority. With her father stranded, Aunt Bethany is ready for revenge. But when she slips and falls trying to extract it, Nettie feels partly to blame. With her aunt’s foot stuck in a walking boot, a truce of sorts is established. Nettie is surprised to find her aunt can prep and cook like a five-star chef. She has a way with gambling. She cuts hair. She’s a talented artist and has terrible taste in men.

Most importantly, she’s an excellent source of family information as Nettie sifts through the bits and pieces she can collect about her mother. But the more Nettie learns, the more things don’t seem to add up.

And sure enough, as sixth grade begins, on the eve of her eleventh birthday, Nettie finally lands that missing piece to the past. Only it doesn’t quite fit the picture she had in mind.