Dede Tate, a free-spirited single woman, gives birth to a son, Fred, who exhibits remarkable intelligence, even as a toddler. Though they live on meager resources in a rundown inner-city neighborhood, Fred’s imagination flourishes. By the time he is seven years old, he writes poetry, excels at mathematics, and draws pictures in the style of Leonardo da Vinci. However, Fred’s greatest wish is to be as popular and happy as other second-grade boys. Dede, a cocktail waitress, is concerned about her son’s nervous disposition. She considers taking a summer job in Florida, where sun and fresh air might alleviate Fred’s stomach ulcers. Meanwhile, Fred’s intelligence draws the attention of Dr. Jane Grierson, a psychologist, and her assistant, Garth. They want Fred to attend the Grierson Institute, a school for gifted children, and are frustrated by Dede’s lack of response. One day, Fred intercepts the mail and reads about the Institute. He tells his mother he would like to visit the school, and she humors him by taking him for an interview. Fred meets Jane Grierson, and the two discuss Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings. Later, Fred plays a classical piano piece for the psychologist. She invites Fred to participate in the “Odyssey of the Mind,” a three-week program for exceptional children held in Orlando, Florida. If Fred enjoys the experience, he would be welcome to attend the Grierson Institute in the fall. The bohemian Dede is put off by the school’s posh formality and declines Dr. Grierson’s invitation. Fred returns to the second grade and invites his classmates to his upcoming birthday party. However, no one attends, and that night, Dede calls Jane Grierson to ask if Fred could participate in the Odyssey of the Mind. The next day, Fred joins Dr. Grierson, her assistant Garth, and four other gifted children en route to the convention. During the trip, Fred tries to befriend the other children. He is especially impressed with Damon Wells, an arrogant math prodigy. At the Odyssey of the Mind, Fred witnesses brilliant young people competing in mental contests and creativity games. He is overwhelmed, but Jane encourages him to overcome his shyness. At a math contest, when Damon is given a challenging question, Fred blurts out the answer. Later, Damon accosts the youngster for upstaging him. At the end of the convention, the Grierson Institute students travel to Jane’s ranch in Virginia. There, Fred finds the psychologist alone in her study, and asks about her upbringing. Jane, unnerved by the Fred’s mature questions, sends him to bed. Later, she finds a white iris on her pillow, a gift from the young boy. In the morning, Fred goes to the horse stables, where Damon grooms a horse. He asks the older boy why he has such an attitude. Damon softens at Fred’s naiveté and invites him to go riding. The two commiserate about being “different,” and form a tentative friendship. Damon playfully slaps Fred’s horse, and the two race back to the house. However, Damon gets knocked from the galloping animal, suffering a concussion. A few days later, Jane returns Fred to his mother. Dede, eager to hear about Fred’s experience, is surprised at the flippant attitude her son has adopted. A bored Fred finishes the final weeks of school with his second grade class. In the meantime, Jane Grierson expresses a desire to write a book about Fred. She proposes boarding the boy for the summer and enrolling him in a college course. She also offers to waive his tuition at the Grierson Institute if Dede agrees to the project. Having made plans to work as a dancer over the summer in Florida, Dede is not interested. The two women argue about what is best for Fred. Later, Fred convinces Dede that he would enjoy attending college while she goes to Florida with her girlfriend. Dede takes her son to Jane’s house and kisses him goodbye for the summer. On his first day of college, Fred is knocked unconscious when Eddie, a rambunctious student, throws a globe in the air. Eddie later apologizes to Fred, and the two become friends. After cruising around campus on a scooter and playing jazz piano in the concert hall, Fred and Eddie conclude their day at a billiards bar, where Fred loses track of time. He arrives home past curfew, upsetting Jane. Meanwhile, in Florida, Dede is disappointed when the dance position turns out to be a job as a cocktail waitress. She calls Fred to ask about his Fourth of July plans, and Fred regales her with stories of college life. Dede hangs up the phone, dispirited. A few days later, Fred goes to Eddie’s house, where he discovers his new friend in bed with a young woman. Eddie tries to explain, but Fred feels rejected. Later that day, he walks out of his midterm exam. On the morning before appearing on live television with Jane, Fred expresses frustration with the psychologist, who only talks about academic subjects and has no friends of her own. Jane dismisses his comments, focusing instead on the importance of the broadcast. In Florida, Dede watches the television program in her hotel room. She is stunned to see her son acting like a simpleton, and astonished when he declares, “my mother is dead.” Just then, Dede realizes her girlfriend’s child is floating unconscious in the pool. She rushes to resuscitate the boy and misses seeing Fred walk off the television show. Shaken by the day’s events, Dede leaves Florida. She returns to her apartment in the city and discovers Fred there, alone. Reunited, mother and son comfort each other. One year later, Jane Grierson, holding a birthday cake, knocks on the Tate’s apartment door. Dede answers, also holding a cake. The lively party is attended by Fred’s new friends from the Grierson Institute, as well as his former elementary school classmates. Dede and Jane don party hats and share a dance, while “little man” Fred Tate proclaims his happiness.