The kindness of an older woman is capable of changing a small girl's life in  ways that can only increase her potential and opportunity to live a fulfilling life. But, what restrictions does Miss Maudie come up against in her attempts to take  care of 5-year-old Lucy? And what unresolved issues are really motivating Miss Lucy?

A powerful story of a little girl's hope to survive child neglect and abuse. The character "Lucy" is comprised of the many children the author has worked with over the course of her career.