"Aline resents that Maman can't afford to give her any money to take to Sister Madeleine for La Seinte Enfance, a collection box to help save the starving babies in Africa. Aline wants so badly to be like the other girls who contribute to that box of coins on Sister's desk. When she steals a dime from Maman's purse one day, she winds up spending it on a bulging bag of penny candy because the collection box is gone from Sister Madeleine's desk. The act sets in motion a series of events that will alter Aline's relationship with a number of people as she seeks a way to make amends for her wrongdoing."