Vada Sultenfuss is enthusiastic about passing. Her mum is dead, along with a funeral home runs. She is deeply in love with her English teacher, and joins a stunt course over the summer merely to impress him. Thomas J., her very best friend, is"allergic to all", and sticks Vada despite her hang ups. When Vada's dad hires Shelly, and begins to fall on her, matters take a turn towards the worse...