It is 1962. John F. Kennedy is President of the United States; the Cold War rages between America and Russia; the California music sound is sweeping across the nation; and Hugh Hefner's publication continues to glorify the perfect female form. For eleven-year-old Mary Addison Walker, growing-up in 1962 is having its difficulties--none of which have anything to do with politics and everything to do with pop culture. As adult family members teasingly comment, Addie is "as flat as a pancake" and "as round as a butter-ball." Addie miserably wonders how she is to compete in a world of perfect females.