It's the summer of 1962 in the small town of Springdale, Connecticut. Thirteen-year-old Bibi Reilly and her family welcome fun-loving Aunt Addie for a two-week vacation. When Dad loses his license for speeding and Mom breaks her leg, Addie extends her stay to help with Bibi and her twin brothers. But Bibi is confused when she witnesses her aunt's outbursts and mood swings, and she's further confused when adults depend on her to keep their secrets. Aunt Addie isn't the only neighborhood visitor that summer. Handsome and charming Stan Polansky, on a month's leave from the army, is staying just two houses away with his aunt and uncle. Behind his boyish smile and charismatic personality, Stan is hiding a secret of his own--a dangerous secret. And Bibi is about to find out what it is.