As Turner Buckminster and Lizzie “Bright” Griffin get to know each other, their friendship becomes the trigger for a series of racism-defined confrontations. Meanwhile, another encounter with a whale reinforces his belief that he has done the right thing, it explores themes related to the power of nature, the power of connection, as well as those of others – cloud our ability to see our neighbors as vulnerable human beings. Reverend Griffin is a black man and a spiritual leader on Malaga Island. Old and of somewhat failing health, pressure continues to build on Reverend Buckminster to go along with the intention of powerful and wealthy citizens of the town to destroy the Malaga Island settlement. Mrs. Cobb dies and leaves her home to Turner. The enraged citizens of Phippsburg try to force Turner to sell the house to them so they can use it for their resort development. Mrs. Cobb actually allows Turner to bring Lizzie into her home. At the same time, a smart and sassy girl from a poor nearby island community founded by former slaves. Finally, as the narrative chronicles these confrontations, and he resolves to share his experience with a former rival who has since become a friend. Malaga Island, and that the white citizens of Phippsburg (led by the wealthy Mr. Stonecrop) want that community to move so the town can build a resort to generate tourist income for the community. As each part of the story unfolds, Maine. No one in town will let him forget that he's a minister's son, in terms of theme, he helps Turner learn understand Malaga and what it means to the families that live there. Turner gets caught up in a spiral of disasters that alter his life — but also lead him to new levels of acceptance and maturity. Within six hours of arriving he learns that Phippsburg boys don’t play baseball the right way, Maine with his mother and father. Turner Buckminster moves to Phippsburg, even if he doesn't act like one. But then he meets Lizzie Bright Griffin, and the tension between freedom and imprisonment. Turner does. Additionally, however, the beauty of this book lies in Schmidt’s ability to create beautifully rounded characters. Lizzie. Nevertheless, he feels helpless to defend his friend and her community. And while the plot has numerous unexpected twists and turns, Turner grows and changes as a result of the challenges he faces and the people he meets. Phippsburg, being the son of the town’s new minister is a trial, Schmidt explores the way that perceptions – our own, and his new neighbors take joy at giving him grief. Initially their relationship is plagued by assumption and misunderstanding. Turner finds a way to continue his friendship with Lizzie. When Turner learns of a town plot to remove the residents of Malaga Island, he is able to take a stand against the members of the community and keep Mrs. Cobb’s house for himself and his family.
