Content Warning: This section contains descriptions of bias against transgender and nonbinary people, bullying, being unhoused, the death of a young child, and hunting.



Seventh grader Libby Delmar, who lives in an old milling town on the East Coast of the US, is painting a sunrise on a wall at her school, marveling at the beautiful mix of colors she’s creating. Unfortunately, she never received permission to paint on the wall and is immediately sent to the principal’s office. Libby was already in trouble a few days ago for punching Danielle, who made fun of Libby’s outfit and told the entire softball team to stop talking to her. The principal, who knows Libby’s older brother, Rex, and her dad, recalled that they both had a tendency to bully others growing up, and he expects Libby to be the same way. He called her dad to come to the school. Libby’s parents were both angry that she quit the softball team, but not as much as they were about her hitting Danielle.

Libby’s punishment for painting the wall involves reorganizing the art supply closet, which she doesn’t mind because it reminds her of her art teacher, Mrs.