Percy’s father, a famous anthropologist, died in Africa four years ago; and Percy has taken on his father’s eyes to see the world as a brilliant Observer. He and his friend Elissa are fascinated by the ritualistic world called Grade Twelve: the Jock tribe; the Teacher tribe; the Born Again tribe; the Cool and Detached tribe; the Lipstick/Hairspray tribe, not to mention Mr. Verplaz, the Shaman. For Percy it’s crucial to withdraw, analyze, and remain above it all. But wait–he’s studying real people, who complicate things. Like Elissa, the only person who can come close to him, maybe too close. The only person who knows how painful it was last year when their best friend Willard died. As graduation approaches, the looming ritual ratchets up Percy’s deepest, hidden feelings and reveals the truth about his father’s disappearance.

Robert's seven year old brother Matthew mysteriously disappears one day as he is walking in to town to buy some gum. Robert had been asked by his mother to accompany Matthew to town, but Robert refused. However, a series of events causes Robert to wonder; the hens are frightened, blood is present in the eggs he gathers, and a broken jar echoes a girl's voice.

At first there is a concerted effort to find his brother. The RCMP questions the family. A great sadness descends on his mother and father until the appearance of a stranger in town changes everything. Abram Harsich purchases the old movie theatre and puts on a spectacular event that mesmerizes the townspeople. Through the use of a trick mirror he convinces them that he can bring rain to the parched area by building a rain machine. The townspeople enthusiastically involve themselves in the construction of the machine convinced of Abram's genius.

Robert, however, is extremely suspicious. The townspeople operate as if in a dream state. His parents seem to have forgotten Matthew's disappearance. His only ally in questioning Abram's tactics and plan is his Uncle Alden. Abram visits Robert's class at school and demonstrates his collection of live butterflies to the students. One butterfly seems to be especially wondrous, spreading dust over the students as it flies around the room. In the next few days, a couple of the students disappear. The built machine does as Abram promises and brings rain to the area. What was once a dry brown land begins to transform into a green lush landscape. One day Robert sneaks into Abram's house while Abram is busy picking up equipment. He finds jars filled with dust and young children in suspended animation. As he explores deeper it appears the children's souls have been harvested to be used by aliens. Luckily he's in time to save his brother, but many of the abducted children cannot be saved. Abram is destroyed and taken by the aliens. Matthew is reunited with his parents. The town awakes from its trance. The landscape returns to normal, but Robert has been changed forever.