It's normal for children living in stepfamilies to have lots of different feelings and to feel different things at different times. This story shares Harriet's emotional experiences surrounding her stepfamily beginnings. The story has realistic and believable characters and situations to help readers to relate. Clear explanations of actions and emotions, and how to understand them.

The author, a computer science professor diagnosed with terminal cancer, explores his life, the lessons that he has learned, how he has worked to achieve his childhood dreams, and the effect of his diagnosis on him and his family.