Emily Lindstrom (Wood), a gifted 14-year-old violinist is skipping summer camp with her friends in order to rehearse for her audition with the prestigious San Fancisco youth Orchestra. Emily also has set up a side business as the neighborhood "secret keeper." All of the neighborhood children line up for the chance to share their secrets with her for a 50 cent fee. Isabelle, for example, is courting a teenager on the internet while pretending to be her 14-year-old sister. Lea, 7, is hiding a kitten in her bedroom even though her sister is allergic to cats. Chubby Gregory is stealing money from his parents to buy candy. Mikey is trying to dig to China. For her nominal fee, Emily keeps their secrets and offers advice to her young admirers. Emily soon discovers that there is a price to keeping secrets, and it can't be measured in coins.