High school freshman Elaine Shiver, having witnessed her mother Mildred's life of domestic oppression, resists the accepted standards forced upon women in the 1960s. She wants to walk a different path. The launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union changes Elaine's life forever. She dreams of becoming an astronomer, exploring the planets and stars, even traveling in space someday.

Through a series of events, Elaine finds herself assisting Jimmy Dixon, a middle school-aged neighbor, as he struggles to complete a class essay contest based upon the U.S. space program. A turning point occurs with astronaut Alan B. Shepard's historic flight into space in early 1961. Elaine and Jimmy join in a project to launch an astronaut into the sky on a unique rocket ship. But how will they manage to achieve it? And who will be the astronaut? An unlikely candidate emerges: a field mouse named Bartlett.

Jimmy's project is beset from the beginning by the treachery of his rival, Dennis Drabek, the class bully. Drabek is determined to undermine Jimmy in the eyes of his sweetheart Terri Lloyd. His plan is to derail the proposed launch of Bartlett at whatever cost. Even to the point of causing physical harm. By embarrassing Jimmy through a failed mission, he hopes to shift Terri's affection to himself. Will his efforts lead to a tragic end? As Elaine offers continued help and encouragement to her young friend, she must overcome criticism of her own ambitions by her mother and Mr. Sheffler, an overbearing, very traditional teacher, who are both convinced that a woman's place is in the home.

Bartlett presents the young reader with a story of imagination and adventure, rivalry, and confrontation . . . plus a special plot twist. Elaine's collaboration with Jimmy provides a lesson for us all proving her conviction that men and women can successfully work together towards a common goal.