The novel revolves around the life of Maisie Cannon, a young ballet dancer who is of Makah and Piscataway descent. She struggles with her life after an unexpected knee injury and surgery. Her dream was to become a professional ballerina, but now she's facing a long, challenging recovery period without the certainty of ever being able to dance again.
The story is set during winter break. Maisie feels isolated and frustrated, distanced from her friends who continue to advance in ballet, and struggling to keep up with schoolwork. In the hopes of providing a change of scenery and helping Maisie to recover emotionally, her family decides to take a trip to the coast of Washington. Maisie's mom, stepdad, and little brother all look forward to exploring their Native heritage at the Makah Days festival.
However, Maisie is not as enthusiastic and grappling with sadness and inadequacy. She's still focused on the life she might have lost, not ready to embrace her present circumstances. The trip becomes an exploration of family, culture, and the wilderness of the coast, which gradually helps her deal with her loss and embrace her present.
While it's a challenging time for her, Maisie begins to learn that there are different ways to appreciate the art of movement and reconnect with her cultural roots. With the help of her loving family, the beautiful landscapes around her, and her growing strength and resilience, she begins to heal both physically and emotionally.
