Charlotte is eleven years old, living in New Hampshire during the Depression. Times are hard. But Charlotte's family is okay and she's happy--except for her shyness. Charlotte runs away to the woods where she befriends Armand, a tramp, and Leona, a schoolmate who are both French Canadian. Charlotte knows some of her neighbors don't like French Canadians, even Charlotte's best friend, Francie. Standing up for her friend and against intolerance, she conquers her shyness.