Ruth White

The setting is a dusty Southern town during the Depression. A white woman accuses a black man of rape. Though he is obviously innocent, the outcome of his trial is such a foregone conclusion that no lawyer will step forward to defend him-- except the town's most distinguished citizen. His compassionate defense costs him many friendships but earns him the respect and admiration of his two motherless children.

Sylvia Barrett is a rookie teacher with a can-do attitude at New York's inner city Calvin Coolidge High. Crowded classes, broken windows, lack of chalk and books are only a few of the problems she will have to face.