When a 10-year-old boy befriends a carnival stuntman and his lion cub, he learns the true meaning of family, loyalty, love, and survival.

For Dickie Kettleson, growing up during the Depression makes even the most ordinary aspects of life a struggle. His small street and family are his whole world, but hunger and collapse are never far away.

Fory-year-old Cap Modig has already experienced his fair share of troubles. A former war hero and champion race driver, Cap now works in a carnival, travelling the open road with his fellow ‘carnie s’.

Then, one day in October 1938, Cap and Dickie’s worlds collide, and change forever.