Redheaded orphan Sam can't seem to stay out of trouble. His latest incident -- defending himself by hitting the high school quarterback in the face with a can of soda -- lands him in the Johnson "Blue Gables" Juvenile Center while he awaits trial. Sam needs to keep his nose clean, but can he control his temper when he's targeted by a long-term Gables resident?

When Sam is given a reading assignment, he thinks he'll have no interest in a classic book about another redheaded orphan. But he soon realizes that he's found a kindred spirit in the book, and maybe even an unexpected source of hope.