Content Warning: This section contains discussions of emotional trauma and mental health conditions.

Piper Trudeau, her younger brother, Dylan, and her parents, Gary and Meg, ride the Country-Wide bus at night. Unable to sleep because she is worried, Piper makes up an “imaginary movie” in her head, in which her family wins the lottery and has no more money troubles.

A small, brown dog named Baby snuggles against the chest of his owner, a woman named Jewel, feeling warm, safe, and happy with his “pack of two” (5).

Piper and Dylan’s parents wake them up. As they get off the bus, they wonder where they have arrived. Piper spots high mountains in the distance and is thrilled, as My Side of the Mountain is her favorite book.