A woman explains to her son how she grew up in a remote village where almost no one could read and write, but she found a way to learn how when her sister began getting letters from a young doctor who used to live there.

"A son teaches his father how to write his name so he can vote for the first time in this historical tale filled with warmth and strength by Coretta Scott King Honor winner Colin Bootman's expressive oil paintings. In a new author's note, veteran teacher and author Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert expands upon the obstacles facing African American voters in the aftermath of the Civil War and the fight to end voter suppression that goes on even today. Simms...