When twelve-year old J.P. discovers a magical treehouse that sends her three days forward in time, she uses the portal to skip all the worst parts of middle school, despite the consequences.

Set in 1973, Melanie desperately wants to be accepted by the Shimmers, the popular girls in her class, but when she gets to know Dorit, the new girl from Israel, she must choose between popularity and true friendship.

In the midst of adjusting to a new class, eighth-grader Anoop finds his patka drawing unwarranted attention, leading him to contemplate faith, identity, and his role in the world, especially as his grandfather approaches the end of life in India and attacks on American Sikhs intensify.