Nine-year-old Emma Cavanaugh lives with her parents in the upscale community of Glendale. She is a warm, adventurous child whose love for nature sustains her as she attempts to adjust to another year in school. She has a secret that becomes too difficult to keep. Fourth grade will surprise her in ways she could not imagine. Miss Spencer is a twenty-seven-year-old former Catholic nun who is struggling to adjust to her new life. When her dream of becoming a college professor is dashed, she reluctantly accepts a fourth-grade teaching position in Glendale. In spite of her personal trauma, she uses her skill and core beliefs to challenge and nurture her students. In return, she receives an unexpected gift that gives her hope. Emma's and Miss Spencer's voices tell a compelling story of courage, endurance, and the power of love. The story is inspired by events that took place in 1972.