It's bad enough that her mother gives all her attention to a community soup kitchen, but now Bess Cunningham's best friend, Ethan, wants to volunteer there too. Bess has made so much progress in her attempt to gain popularity at her new middle school -- she's got a wild new wardrobe and is working on the school play -- that the idea of helping out seems lamer than ever. That is, until Grace Jarvis Battle comes into her life.

Gracie is a sweet elderly woman who is not unlike Bess's grandmothers -- except Gracie lives on the street and eats out of Dumpsters. Because of Gracie, Bess quickly becomes involved with the soup kitchen. When her mother spearheads an effort to establish a permanent shelter for women, Bess knows that this is the best way to help Gracie. But the shelter won't be ready until Thanksgiving. With it getting colder, Bess and Ethan try to help Gracie on their own. Will it be enough?

In examining how homelessness can affect anyone, acclaimed author Ellen Wittlinger puts a human face on an all-too-common problem.