Joe is fast becoming a young man during the 1930's and 40's, an almost forgotten era. The Austin's live in rural Tennessee, where Daddy farms. Despite the hardships that they have to endure, they are certain of two things. God and Family are everything. Joe loses his baby sister and they do their best to remain strong. The Austin's find happiness when a new little sister is born, and later, another. A raging fire soon destroys most of their home. Momma gets sick, and Joe is forced to become a surrogate parent to his young sisters. How can Joe keep everything together? How can he do all that he is forced to do when he is only eleven years old?