After the deadly 2011 earthquakes in Christchurch, Eddy Smallbone must naviate the ruins of his hometown along with the ruins of his person a life. A Catholic-school dropout, Eddie is trying to break free from his eccentric uncle and mourn the death of his dog. Eddy starts a pet-sitting business, and meets an extraordinary cast of character. Meanwhile, his former girlfriend is back in town and his best friend is suffering from a mysterious illness....

Arriving at a new library, Book discovers kids don't care for old books that have dusty yellow jackets and torn pages and devises a hilarious plan to fit in, but after several failed attempts finally learns to accept itself just the way it has always been--spelling "misteaks" and all.