Margaret Hiller transfers to a new school halfway through the first semester. She is behind in all subjects, trying to catch up to her grade level. Her stained clothes are an excuse for bullies to take advantage of her bad situation. Gossip and rumors she's an ex-con add to the fuel of bullies' degrading comments and physical assaults. At home, she cares for her disabled mother, who is suffering from a terminal illness, which complicates her personal and school life. She walks home each day without a car and is too poor to pay to ride the school bus home. Along her route home, angry kids await to ambush her, and she must avoid confrontations and attacks. Two sisters step forward to help her survive a brutal school life and improve her personal life.