Cosa rara, tener a los tiernos diez años un motivo en la vida: hacer que tu padre regrese a casa luego de haberse fugado con la dentista del pueblo. Diez años, buena edad para ser valerosa, pero ¿cómo lograrlo? Pues bien, su nombre es Raymie y ha encontrado una forma. Será fácil, bueno... quizá. Sólo debe ganar el concurso de Pequeña Señorita Florida. Eso le dará proyección. Será suficiente para que su padre vea la foto de su gloria en el periódico y decida volver porque, ¿quién no querría estar cerca de una chica tan increíble? Ten-year-old Raymie Clarke has come to realize that absolutely everything depends on her. And she has a plan. If she can win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition, then her father, who left town two days ago with a dental hygienist, will see Raymie's picture in the paper and come home. To win, not only does Raymie have to do good deeds and learn how to twirl a baton; she also has to contend with the wispy, frequently fainting Louisiana Elefante, who has a show-business background, and the fiery, stubborn Beverly Tapinski, who's determined to sabotage the contest. But as the competition approaches, loneliness, loss, and unanswerable questions draw the three girls into an unlikely friendship--and challenge each of them to come to the rescue in unexpected ways. Two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo returns to her roots with this moving story of an unforgettable summer friendship.