"A Door Near Here" follows the story of Katherine Graham, a fifteen-year-old girl, and her three siblings as they cope with their mother's descent into alcoholism. Their father left after an affair, leaving Katherine to take charge of her younger siblings. They struggle to maintain the appearance of normalcy while dealing with hunger, financial difficulties, and the fear of being separated by Child Protective Services.
Katherine's efforts to care for her siblings and keep their family together become increasingly challenging. She steals money from her mother's purse to buy food, while her siblings engage in harmful behaviors. The siblings' schoolteacher, Mr. Dodgson, notices signs of their troubled home life and eventually learns the truth about their situation.
Rather than involving social services, Mr. Dodgson contacts their estranged father, leading to a reunion and a move to Grand Rapids, Michigan. While the family's relationship with their father is strained at first, they gradually rebuild their connection, aided by their father's new wife, Ophelia, and the construction of a treehouse in their new backyard. The story ends on a hopeful note, highlighting the possibility of healing and renewal.
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