The book is in the voice of an eleven-year-old girl (referencing ages ten to twelve) living in 1963 Brooklyn. She details her Italian/Sicilian family, their language customs, as well as the crazy cast of characters on her beloved block and schoolmates. It references the events and music of the day and focuses on her vivid imagination, dreaming that a brand-new pair of Red PF Flyers sneakers will give her the ability and superpower of flying.