It is 1943, and World War II is raging thousands of miles away from twelve-year-old Nancy Killeen—tomboy, singer, and sister to six siblings. As food is rationed and frightening air drills pierce through the sky, Nancy is just trying to survive sixth grade at Saint Mary Magdalene School.

Constantly accompanied by her sister, Patsy, and Ernie—her best friend who lives at the end of the street—Nancy climbs trees, writes in her diary, and secretly wishes she could fly. But when she realizes her neighbor, old lady Crowell, is harboring a nasty vendetta against her family, Nancy knows she must do something—and quick. With her parents acting strangely and Ernie suspecting they are Nazis, Nancy has her work cut out for her. But just as the lazy days of summer begin, Nancy is about to discover the secret to making old lady Crowell smile.

In this tale set against the backdrop of America during the early 1940s, a young girl embarks on a coming-of-age journey where she must make some tough decisions and soon discovers the meaning of unconditional love.