Raymie Clarke has come to realize that everything,absolutely everythingdepends on her. And she has a plan. If Raymie can win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competitionthen her fatherwho left town two days ago with a dental hygienistwill see Raymie’s picture in the paper and (maybe) come home. To winnot only does Raymie have to do good deeds and learn how to twirl a baton; she also has to contend with the wispyfrequently fainting Louisiana Elefantewho has a show-business backgroundand the fierystubborn Beverly Tapinskiwho’s determined to sabotage the contest. But as the competition approacheslonelinesslossand unanswerable questions draw the three girls into an unlikely friendship — and challenge each of them to come to the rescue in unexpected ways.