Several elements from the original story have been changed: in the novel, Vicky and her family knew about her grandfather's condition the entire time, she had an older brother, her younger sister was much older, there was a third boy she was interested in, the plot element about drift nets was entirely absent, and her parents were present during the whole trip at the grandfather's house.
Kirsten Storms was originally cast as Vicky Austin as they had commercials with her in it but changed it at the last minute.