"In 1963, Ellie's mother, Doris Day Dingman, was crowned the Bosetti Beauty at Mr. Bosetti's supermarket, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and the Dingmans began to fall apart." So begins 11-yr-old Eleanor Roosevelt Dingman's story. Ellie, who is about to start 6th grade in the small town of Spectacle, NY, is the oldest child in her off-center family. Her father works construction jobs, while her mother, Doris, has only one dream - to become a rich and famous actress. But when that dream leads to Doris's abandonment of the family, it is Ellie who is called upon to take charge

Ellie’s mother, Doris Day Dingman, has named all three of her children after famous people — Eleanor Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, and Marie Curie. She also has big dreams for herself. Doris sees herself in a career as a model, a Broadway actress, or a movie star; and her ambitions are much larger than the small town where the Dingmans live. Ellie, on the other hand, is coping with the problems of everyday life: bullies at school, prejudice against her neighborhood, and cooking for the family when her mother is too busy pursuing her dreams. The year is 1963, and the assassination of President Kennedy in November tips the scales for Doris; she decides that life is short, and that she must make her escape from their stifling town and family life.

When Doris leaves abruptly for New York City, Ellie shoulders most of the burden of caring for her younger brother and sister, while her father withdraws into his work. With only her friend Holly to share her anguish at school when classmates trip and “slam” and shun them, Ellie finally makes a break of her own. Traveling to New York on the bus, she finds her mother and tries to convince her to return.

The trip only confirms what Ellie knew already, that Doris is incapable of giving the care and attention her family needs. It is Ellie’s father who comes to her rescue in a moment of danger and finally realizes that he must take control of the family his wife has deserted. Ellie’s ordeal on her journey teaches her that she can take charge of her own destiny and stand up for herself against the bullies who have been tormenting her. And it confirms her deep love for her family and her quirky neighborhood.