Can surfing change your life? For Ellie, it most certainly does. Vezna Andrews' debut novel is set in 1980s Southern California, where fifteen-year-old Ellie discovers herself through her love of surfing. Born and raised in New York City, Ellie's world is turned upside down when her father unexpectedly dies and her mother sends her to Manhattan Beach, California to live with her aunt and uncle.

Ellie's new home is a sharp contrast to the loft in New York City's garment district where she grew up. Heartbroken about her dad, and worried about her mom, who drinks too much, Ellie doesn't fit in with the preppie girls at her new Southern California school, who eventually gang up on and bully her. Thankfully, with the encouragement of her aunt and uncle, she discovers surfing, which becomes her passion and her refuge.

While surfing California's wild coast, Ellie experiences surfing's spiritual, healing qualities, including magical experiences with wild dolphins, whales, and sea lions. Eventually, Ellie finds a group of like-minded friends, develops a crush on fellow surfer Nick, and grows extremely close to her Aunt Jen, Uncle Charlie, and their community of surfers. Through surfing, Ellie develops the confidence and strength needed to navigate her own path in life—surfing literally saves her, and changes her relationship with her mother forever.