Maddie has spent her life in care. She's always looking for a place to call home and has made a secret Book of Houses: magazine cut-outs of places she fantasizes about living in.

Then a new girl, Murphy, shows up at Maddie's children's home, armed with magical tales about exotic travels and loving, absent parents.

Maddie is enchanted and, together with some other children from the Home, the girls build a secret shelter in the woods.

For a time Maddie feels safe and shows Murphy her Book of Houses, but Murphy betrays her by showing the book around at school.

Maddie finds out her friend is not all she seems, but perhaps is more human and approachable because of it, and, eventually, the girls make friends again, realizing that home is more about love than mere buildings.