Alex can't believe his parents want to move to Alaska in January. For the whole nine days of their drive from California, he can't move beyond the cold dark days and the disaster of leaving behind all his friends.

Busy complaining about what he has to leave, he almost misses what's waiting for him—Alaska-style winter fun, definition-changing friendships, courage-stretching situations, and the dog he's always wanted.

Dangling over everything hangs the big question of who had made the plans for his life.