The Fever and the Fret

Fourteen-year-old Eleanor is tormented at school because of large red birthmarks across her face. Eleanor's devoted teacher Ms. Gutierrez encourages her to ignore her bullies and focus on her studies. At home, Eleanor is raised by her grandmother, who dotes on her granddaughter even though she does not understand her. At night, if she gazes at the water stains on her bedroom wall, they transform into mountains, leading into a vast, desolate landscape. In this world, Eleanor is alone and free. One day the kids start to tease Eleanor, “who's the father?” and she discovers a baby crying alone in her dreamed landscape. When another student, Carly asks Eleanor what happened to her baby, Eleanor breaks down and attacks her. Eleanor is arrested and confined until Ms. Gutierrez is able to get her released and enrolled in a new school. Eleanor wants to succeed, but the pressure of her impending trial and the complexity of her dreamed world may push this hope out of her reach.