Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of addiction as well as grief due to the loss of immediate family members (father and sister).

Jo begins her narrative as a girl burdened by circumstances. Addiction limits Jo’s mother’s ability to care for her, and Jo misses her mother’s affection. Jo carries this burden alone, believing she must keep the drug use a secret to avoid foster care. The longer she keeps the secret, though, the more Jo worries that her mother’s habit will worsen or have tragic consequences. These combined stresses prompt Jo’s dismal outlook, but they also foster an inner strength that Jo discovers with the new adversities of witnessing Addie’s crash and searching for her in the desert. Jo’s growth, resulting from her challenges, is evident in her increased confidence and new “can-do” attitude after finding Addie.

Jo’s challenges with her mother’s struggle are in place as the novel begins, but after witnessing Addie’s crash, additional challenges arise with each unplanned decision Jo makes. Jo must tackle these challenges to keep moving toward her desired goal of rescuing Addie. With each small victory over the unintended consequences of her poor planning, Jo’s resourcefulness and confidence grow; this inspires a newfound belief in herself she will utilize at crucial moments in the desert.