Eight-year-old Lizzie B. Hayes, along with her cousins, Shu Shu and Mookie, can''t wait to kick off their summer of nonstop fun with all the other kids in Newark, New Jersey. Always wanting to be the center of attention, Lizzie has several tricks up her sleeves to guarantee that all eyes are on her. But the summer of 1967 is different.

Just as Lizzie gears up for a summer filled with jump rope contests, shooting hoops, trips to the local library, and of course, roller skating at breakneck speeds, she begins to hear rumors of trouble brewing in her city. To make matters worse, Lizzie''s father plans to take her on a two-week vacation down south, South Philadelphia that is. Now she is faced with leaving everyone she loves for the first time.