Arianna Goodman is a curly-haired, freckle-faced fifth grader who is obsessed with collecting hair-gel products, choreographing dances with her younger sister, and playing in her classes weekly Spit tournaments. Suddenly, her world is turned upside down when Mom comes home with BIG news: She has breast cancer. Now everywhere Arianna turns an adult is crying, and everyone who knows looks at her strangely. Mom is losing her beautiful curly hair, Dad is too busy with Mom, and she is left raising her siblings. At the same time, she is navigating the halls of junior high-dealing with her boy-obsessed friends, watching the Period Movie, and making sure that no one finds out about Mom. As Arianna struggles with her new reality, she draws on the collective strength of her friends and family along with the power of her Jewish faith and positive attitude.