Oppressed by the town’s never-ending criticism and scrutiny of him, Turner escapes to the coast outside of Phippsburg. There, Lizzie stumbles across him while she’s out clamming. Turner is struck by Lizzie’s confidence and authenticity. She teaches him to play baseball in the town’s distinctive style, causing Turner to lose track of time and earn his father’s reprimand for getting dirty and being late for lunch. Turner’s mother stands up for her son and sends him outside. Turner heads toward the field where the town’s boys usually play baseball, but discovers that a storm has descended on the town. Inspired by Lizzie’s confidence, he stands out in the rain with his arms outstretched.

The day after the storm, Turner heads back to the coast with a baseball and his baseball glove to try and find Lizzie. Along the way, he sees Mrs. Hurd, who gives him advice on fist-fighting since she witnessed Turner’s altercation with Willis in Chapter 2. Turner and Lizzie reunite at the coast. After they practice playing baseball with Turner’s glove and ball, Turner helps Lizzie dig clams, and Lizzie invites him out to Malaga Island. Turner accepts his new friend’s invitation.

On the island, Turner meets Lizzie’s grandfather, and a rambunctious family of young children named the Tripps.