It's the summer of 1946 in Montreal, Quebec, and 12-year-old Matthew Parker would rather be anywhere else in the world, or at least back in Pembroke, Ontario. That's where Matthew used to live — before his mother remarried and moved him away from his family, his friends, and, worst of all, his baseball team.

Just when things look about as bleak as they can look, Matt stumbles across Delorimier Downs, and things start to look up. Delorimier is home to baseball's Montreal Royals, and the team's star player is none other than Jackie Robinson!

When Matt lands a job selling concessions in the stands, he finds himself with a front-row seat for all the excitement and controversy that follow Robinson as he strives to become the first African-American player to suit up in the majors. Along with new friends Rene and Guy, Matt meets Tyrone, an old ball player with a mysterious connection to Jackie. And then there's Dewey—a cub reporter who's trying to make a name for himself by telling Robinson's story.

Montreal, it turns out, is the perfect place to be in the summer of 1946. But will Matt realize that in time?