Davey O'Brien and his friends are just trying to get through seventh grade at the Calumet & Hecla school for miners' children. But trouble won't leave them alone. Conflict with the "townies", sons and daughters of mine bosses and store owners, is one thing. But then the miners go on strike, food becomes scarce during awful winter storms, and life itself grows uncertain as the miners square off against the owners' vigilante thugs.