I picture him in his dirty clothes, with his knotted hair, and I feel annoyed. I am tired of feeling bad for him. It isn't my fault he was the way he was. Thirteen-year-old Liza is having trouble coping with the death of a local homeless man when she learns that her family's apple tree will need to be chopped down. If that wasn't enough, the new principal at school keeps blocking her attempts for a positive outlet. Mrs. Reynolds refuses permission for every project that GRRR! (Girls for Renewable Resources, Really!) proposes. Liza needs to create change in her world, and she may have to do it without seeking permission.