holly justice a 16 year old who live in a small town in California has been chosen for her towns once every ten year event where the government makes one of their children go into the city when she is chosen her life goes upside down when she is sent to live with the Lebrones family mrs Lebrones along with her 2 children show holly how to live through the summer outside of her town especially the oldest Luke who is a little older then her he takes her to parties and introduce her to his friends even though they are worlds apart holly and Luke grow are close and even develop feelings?