Erin Law and her friends are Damaged Children. At least that is the label given to them by Maureen, the woman who runs the orphanage that they live in.

Damaged, Beyond Repair because they have no parents to take care of them.

But Erin knows that if they care for each other they can put up with the psychologists, the social workers, the therapists -- at least most of the time.

Sometimes there is nothing left but to run away, to run for freedom. And that is what Erin and two friends do, run away one night downriver on a raft.

What they find on their journey is stranger than you can imagine, maybe, and you might not think it's true.

But Erin will tell you it is all true. And the proof is a girl named Heaven Eyes, who sees through all the darkness in the world to the joy that lies beneath.From the Hardcover edition.