Thirteen-year-old Bee resumes the physical relationship she has had in the past with her seventeen-year-old brother Jacky, a move that forces them to confront their personal histories.
Precious Jones, a sixteen-year-old girl who is pregnant with her second child by her father, is pushed by her courageous African-American teacher to learn to read, and discovers the truth about herself and her life.
Marie, the only African American girl in the eighth grade willing to befriend her white classmate Lena, discovers that Lena's father is doing horrible things to her in private.
Around the turn of the nineteenth century, a woman bears her brother's child, a boy. The brother tells his sister the child died of natural causes. When she discovers this is a lie she leaves to find her son and soon discovers three terrifying and elusive strangers.
Exposes the problem of incest in families and discusses what can be done to prevent and treat this problem. Also suggests further public involvement and funding for the treatment of incest and other sexual abuse of children.