In Shadow Springs, Oregon, nine-year-old Ricky Britton no longer believes the woman living across the street is a monster, and deciding to take a chance in his young life he does something nice for her. With Christmas approaching, Ricky, realizing it is a time for sharing and giving, decides to be nice to the monster on his street. This act of unselfish kindness sets him dancing into a series of life changing discoveries. So many events shape our lives, molding us into the adults we will one day become, and during this short Winter, Ricky experiences more than a boy his age should. From the fall of the Twin Towers to a town filled with hate and fear, Ricky begins to question life as he knows it. Still, nothing has prepared him for the strange woman living in the house across the street. The Spider Lady turns out to be more than Ricky ever imagined. This story will make you laugh, cry and wonder why you don't take more risks in your life.