The story of two small town boys from different sides of the tracks: 1950s childhood and self redemption. Young "Whitey" Black (so called because of a tuft of blanched hair on the left side of his head) lives in poverty with his single mother and ailing 4-year-old sister Sandy. Just across town, young Jerry Barlow lives the advantages of a middle class lifestyle with both parents and his younger brother. When mischief casts Whitey and Jerry into a shared paper route, Jerry quickly learns of Whitey's desire to buy Sandy an angel doll for Christmas. Even though no such dolls exist in their hometown, Whitey, Jerry, and a host of colorful characters set out in search of Sandy's gift. Along the way, reversals of fortune, theft, prejudice, and ultimately, the boys' friendship opens their eyes to