Each day when Cassie opened her window,  the trees whispered down a song of morning greeting. The giant old pines and hickories, beeches and walnuts in the forest surrounding the house had stood there for centuries, strong and sheltering. Cassie's trees were her friends and to her they sang a special song that others insisted was only the wind.

Depression times were hard in Mississippi and jobs were scarce. Cassie's father, David, had gone to Louisiana to lay tracks for the railroad. That was when the trouble started. With David at home, Mr. Andersen would never have dared cheat Big Ma by forcing her to sell the beloved trees for practically nothing.

This moving and unusual story is based on an incident that actually occurred in Mildred Taylor's family. Jerry Pinkney's expressive illustrations capture the drama of events as well as the powerful emotions that made them happen.

From the dust jacket