Structure

The novel's structure includes a Prologue, 13 titled, numbered chapters, and an Epilogue. Each chapter's title gives the reader a hint about what will happen in that section. For example, the third chapter is titled "And Then There Were Three," which hints that one of the siblings will leave the family home. That turns out to be Camille, who went away for the summer and left Regina responsible for herself and the younger two siblings without the support of her older sisters.

The main story line flows in chronological order from the time Regina was 13 years old until she was an adult, reuniting with her siblings. The background information is typically presented as a matter of fact from Regina's memories. These pieces of information reveal what their lives were like prior to when Regina was 13. Regina admits that she does not remember every detail about her early life...