Twelve-year old Charlie Harper is used to moving around, thanks to her father’s having been in the Air Force. But this time will be different. They’re settling in her father’s hometown where he’s surrounded by old friends. Charlie hopes to make a splash with contact lenses instead of glasses, new trendy outfits, and “tamed” hair in place of her Afro. But the first day of school goes awry when she’s accidentally drenched in water. In the bathroom, Charlie meets Nola, another black girl, whose mom has a hair salon. Nola quickly braids Charlie’s hair and helps her get to class on time, leaving the new girl feeling hopeful. At lunch she meets Nola’s group of friends, several brown and black curly-haired girls who call themselves the Curlfriends. But in her pursuit of being liked and popular, is Charlie really being true to herself? What is the true price of pretending to be someone you’re not? An entertaining look at one tween’s determination to fit in, no matter the cost.