There are 3 different story in one book. The 3 characters are going through the same things as each other .

Jerome died after being shot by a cop who did nothing to help him because the was black. He never had friends until Carols came to his school. The cop was Sarah's dad. Sarah became friends with Jerome when he was a ghost. Sarah's dad didn't mean to kill Jerome.

Towers Falling is about Deja and 9/11. She made two friends Ben and Sabeen. Deja's dad has been sick and could not work because he was at the twin tower at the time it fell and he go sick from it.

Lanesha was a very smart and creative girl. Her mother died giving birth to her so she lived with the person that gave birth to her Mama Ya-Ya. Lanesha was able to see ghost and Mama Ya-Ya would have dreams that told her the future. Later on Mama Ya-Ya died.

Their are no more slaves but at River Road black people are still working their. Later on in the story Chinese people came to work with them. The Chinese people are working harder and faster because they were younger and had more energy. River Road ends up being sold.