At the Church of Fire and Brimstone and God’s Almighty Baptizing Wind, nearly every pleasure is forbidden, and every action takes place under close scrutiny. Herman Langston, founder of this isolated Pentecostal community, believes he has structured an existence where his followers' only thoughts are of preparing for God’s rapidly approaching Day of Judgment, "the rapture."

But for Ninah Huff, Herman’s 14-year-old granddaughter, the world is a much more complicated place. Her passionate pursuit of righteousness has collided with her attraction to her young prayer partner, James. The consequences of their relationship rock the very foundation of the community, and the conception of their child is the catalyst for Ninah’s dramatic coming-of-age.

Told in Ninah’s clear, powerful voice, The Rapture of Canaan is the bittersweet story of a girl’s moving beyond the unquestioning acceptance of religion to a true, loving faith. In the process, she comes to learn that "what is normal is miraculous enough."