Madeline is a young girl struggling to find her footing in her class, dealing with mean girls, social exclusion and other forms of pre-teen social torture. But she finds warmth and acceptance in the solid, caring relationship she has with her mom. But when Madeline is invited by Sophie to a party with the popular kids, she must decide between the comfort of home or the perils of social acceptance -- and finds herself on the borderline between childhood and adolescence.