Nore is a young girl who has recently suffered the tragedy of losing her mother.  During the summer she is invited to live with her father and stepfamily in Louisiana.  When her dead mother reappears to her in a vision, she is warned that both she and her father are in danger.  Nore investigates further into the mysteries of her stepfamily and Shadow Grove.

Kit Watson and his family have moved to the town of Stoneygate to live with Kit’s ailing grandfather.  The closed mines of Stoneygate serve as old relics to the past and offer the children a chance to play the hypnotic game of “Death”.  As Kit befriends Allie Keenan, they both explore deep into the mines not just to play the game of Death, but to find something within themselves and the past.

Lafayette is the youngest of three brothers.  Their mother has just passed away, and now they are all orphans feeling the harshness of society in the midst of gang life, poverty, and limited opportunity.  Ty'ree the oldest brother struggles to make a living for his younger brothers, but Charlie keeps getting into trouble and is on a fast trip to living a life of crime.  As everything is unfolding in one day, the lives of these brothers are brought closer as they remember their mom.

Savvy Christopher is a talented eight grade basketball player who has great accuracy in her three-point shooting.  As she earns a position in a higher end 18 and under basketball team, she is going through some rough times.  She has recently moved to Rhode Island and is the new girl at school with a tall height that makes her feel out of place.  Helping out her Aunt Betty on the farm helps Savvy build her skill to get herself off the bench and into the game.  However, when steroids are found in Savvy's bag, she must work to overcome the allegations and clear her name.