Book excerpt: After a final act of abuse threatens her life, fiftee-year-old Sam runs away from home and into the Olympic Mountains of Washington State. Physically and emotionally exhausted, she encounters a mysterious woman named Theory who lives in a tree house. Through elements of magic and sage advice, Theory takes Sam on a healing journey. With the help of Sam's friend Dodger and two other kids from foster care, Theory and the group create their own concept of "family," formulate a plan to reach the masses of kids left behind by adults who never wanted them, and rewrite the fate that has seemingly already been decided for them.