The only constant in childhood is change. Barbadian schoolgirl, Sha'Tanya Carter is definitely feeling the effects of change-both good and bad; she goes from fourteen to fifteen, from third form to fourth form, from a happy life to one of turmoil.
After a fateful hurricane throws her into deep poverty, Sha'Tanya becomes obsessed with keeping her new reality a secret. For two years, she goes to any length to keep her image intact, including mixing with undesirables, trespassing and malicious conduct. These efforts do not go according to plan, and Sha'Tanya learns that extreme actions to avoid shame, often lead to shame in other areas.
When trying to preserve one's pride, what measures are reasonable? How far is too far? What price is too high?
Make your own conclusions as you follow the traumatic, tumultuous events which threaten to leave Sha'Tanya undone.