Phillips recreates the mood of America in late July through early November 1963, choosing to conclude her novel just before the assassination of John Kennedy. Nevertheless, there is an obvious parallel between the shattering events at Camp Shelter, West Virginia, in late July and those in Dallas in late November. Just as the death of President Kennedy ended the era of America's postwar innocence, the death of Carmody marks the end of childhood for four Girl Guides and the camp cook's young son.

In keeping with her emphasis upon portraying the attitudes of 1963, Phillips accurately portrays the Cold War mentality of the era. Mrs. ThompsonWarner, the camp director, regularly teaches a Heritage Class where she lectures on the dangers of trusting Kruschev, introduces former Russian political prisoners, and shows films of the atrocities inflicted upon Russian political dissidents. Each evening one of the campers is assigned to...