Lewellen (
Dakota Fanning), a troubled 12-year-old girl, is being raised by her abusive father who frequents her bed at night, and a disciplinarian grandmother. However, the girl finds comfort and strength through the music of
Elvis Presley.
She acquires other moments of childhood happiness playing in the woods with her friend, Buddy, but when that veers toward innocent sexual games, it becomes clear that Lewellen has experienced more than a little girl should—a painful secret that she’s kept buried inside. However, when she’s raped by a teenage boy, her spirit comes close to the breaking point.