In the backwoods of Upstate New York, the six remaining Creswell children live under the strict rule of their father. Castley, Caspar, Jerusalem, Mortimer, Delvive and Hannan. Someone needs to save the Creswell children. Castley Creswell, a girl equal parts humour and longing, loves her extraordinary family but knows something is missing from her closeted life. Forced into a real school, Castley feels more like a freak than ever. Until she meets totally normal, totally irritating George Gray, who offers a glimpse of what life could be like if she chose it for herself. Castley wants to escape her father's rule, but she can't leave her brothers and sisters behind. When her father announces they are destined to leave earth behind, Castley knows she has to do something fast.