Twelve-year-old computer hacker Nick Ryan thinks his popular, athletic, and disgustingly perfect teenage sister is the biggest pain in Portland, Oregon. But when Justine is kidnapped by a man intent on computer fraud, Nick figures he is the one to save her.

Dodging the police, who suspect HIM, Nick finds clues and connections all the adults have missed. But who will believe him? Only his best friend, the humorous Herbie. Their adventures start with computer hacking but expand to include enough breaking and entering to enrage the police and other powerful adults. Finally, Nick and Herbie find the courage to confront a danger no one else has even imagined.

And Nick and Herbie both learn that one need not be a star athlete, to indeed be a hero.