At the heart of Nina Stibbe's 'Man at the Helm' is the sharp-witted nine-year-old Lizzie Vogel. After her father's departure, Lizzie, her siblings, and their mother find themselves outcasts in a small English village during the 1970s. To combat their dire situation, Lizzie and her sister resort to hilarious attempts at matchmaking for their mother, believing that a 'man at the helm' will restore social order. Through misunderstandings and humorous escapades, Lizzie learns about the complexities of adult relationships while navigating her family's shaky journey towards acceptance and stability.