After moving from Alabama to Texas in 1836, Jeff Byrd turns fourteen years old while fighting for Texas independence from Mexico and trying to sort out his friends from his enemies after a Hispanic family saves his life when the Mexican Army slaughters its prisoners during the Goliad Massacre.
In 1889, after he and his family emigrate from Italy to New York City, fourteen-year-old Tony tries to adjust to becoming an American, while avoiding an Irish gang and befriending photographer and social reformer Jacob Riis.
