More than anything, Virgie wants to go to school like her five older brothers do. But like lots of people at the time, Virgie's brothers think it's a waste of time for girls to go to school. And besides that, Virgie's brothers don't believe that she can make the seven-mile walk to school, either. But Virgie proves them wrong on all counts as she bravely stands up for herself. Lewis's airy portraits capture the look and rhythm of African American life just after the Civil War.