The novel opens by introducing Jake Semple, a troubled 13-year-old who was expelled from all public schools in Rhode Island for burning down his school. Because his parents were arrested for growing marijuana in their basement, Jake relocated to North Carolina to live with his grandfather, Henry Dugan, and started attending Traybridge Middle School. However, his disruptive behavior led to yet another expulsion. Frustrated with Jake’s rebellious behavior, Dungan sought an alternative education solution and arranged for Jake to attend The Creative Academy, a homeschool program administered by his neighbors, the Applewhites.

Henry Dugan is now at Wit’s End, the Applewhite family’s property, discussing the arrangement they have worked out. Meanwhile, Jake and Edith “E.D.” Applewhite, the Applewhites’ 12-year-old daughter, are on the porch. He takes the opportunity to mock her name. Knowing that Jake is unaware of the literary reference to Edith Wharton, E.D. has “no intention of telling this creep the story of her name” (7). She perceives him as nothing more than a troublemaker and is offended by his appearance, with his red spiked hair, earrings, and dark clothes. The idea of taking in Jake was initially proposed by Edith’s aunt, Lucille, a suggestion Edith vehemently opposed.