Paul, a talented rock climber despite his very short stature, becomes friends with six-foot-tall Lily and Hawaiian newcomer Big to navigate the high school halls filled with bullies.

Popular high school student Ella Reynolds starts a friendship with autistic classmate Holden Harris, and, after realizing he is bullied for being different, she decides to take a stand against his tormentors with the hope she can help him come out of his shell and achieve his true potential.

The author shares the cruelty that was heaped on her by her classmates when she was labeled a freak in high school, describing what it meant to be an outcast among one's peers and her struggle to overcome the torment.