Maria Peterson is looking forward to turning thirteen in 1855, attending abolitionist meetings and listening to inspiring speakers like Sojourner Truth. But her thirteenth year brings unexpected changes: the city of New York wants to turn her community, Seneca Village, into an enormous "Central Park." Now that Maria has made a new friend, she's even more determined to stay, but she soon discovers that her friend may have issues even more dire than being thrown out of her home. Will Maria be able to save her home and help her friend?