Twelve-year-old Ally is trying to adjust to a new school and new friends with the help of her faithful companion, a talking dog named Obie. Ally's parents have saved for a summer trip to California, but they can go only if Ally does well in her class. Ally is relying on Obie to help her, but her plans are complicated when Obie goes missing.

In the near future, a woman secures a freelance job as a government surveyor. Is her experience good, bad, or neutral?