The novel is about Rob Garrett, a 15-year-old African American boy from segregated Virginia. Rob's parents enroll him at an elite Connecticut boarding school, making him the first Black student to attend. Despite his initial fears of not being accepted due to his race, Rob faces little overt racism from his classmates. Instead, his Jewish friend Vinnie bears the shock of cruel jokes and abuse.

Rob excels academically, making the honor roll his first semester. However, a trip home to Virginia for Thanksgiving opens his eyes to the civil rights movement. He encounters activists like Malcolm X in Harlem and learns his friends back home are planning sit-ins to protest segregation. This causes Rob to grapple with feelings of pride at his privileged school versus a desire to take action against injustice.

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