Vada Sultenfuss is an 11-year-old girl living in small-town Pennsylvania during the early 1970s. Her mother passed away when she was young, and she grows up with her father Harry who runs a funeral parlor out of their home. Vada is a curious and imaginative girl who often feels neglected due to her father's preoccupation with his work. She spends most of her time with her best friend, Thomas J. Sennett, a boy around her age who is allergic to almost everything. Vada is also struggling with her own fears, particularly of death, stemming from the environment she lives in and the traumatic loss of her mother.

As Vada navigates the complexities of adolescence, she forms a unique bond with Shelly, a cosmetologist who begins working for Harry and eventually becomes romantically involved with him. This new relationship forces Vada to confront her feelings about change and attachment. Throughout the summer, Vada contends with her father's budding romance, her own developing emotions and relationships, and the inevitable shifts that come with growing up. The story captures Vada's coming-of-age journey as she grapples with love, loss, and understanding the world around her.