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A routine class trip takes a few unexpected turns when one thing after another goes wrong. Coming up with five students too many to fit on two buses, Mr. Wendell Carter, one of the fifth grade teachers, has to transport those students in his personal van. When an earthquake at the end of the trip separates them from the rest of the group and leaves them stranded, Carter and the kids are forced to wait for rescue. The only problem is that these five girls, on the brink of entering puberty, are intent on trying to win the affections of their adult teacher. With the land on the brink of sliding away at any moment and the advances of the girls becoming more overt, Carter is faced with an extremely uncomfortable situation.
Many readers might be made to feel uncomfortable with the subject matter of this book, but ultimately that is part of the story's purpose. The PG-13 in the title is a direct assurance to the audience that things will not venture into extremely questionable territory, but Carter's plight is enough to make some people squirm in their seats as they read this tale of circumstance and willpower. While the narrative may not be for everybody, those who can keep an open mind will be left with some important questions about how a person's situation can affect their actions, even with an end in sight. Ultimately, the taboo concept behind this book is not unlike material made by beloved authors like Dostoevky and Palahniuk to make a deeper point about society by going to the extreme.