Of all the folks in the mountain shacks, the Casteels are the lowest - the scum of the hills. Heaven Leigh Casteel is the prettiest, smartest girl in the backwoods, despite her ragged clothes and dirty face ... despite a father meaner than ten vipers ... despite her weary stepmother, who works her like a mule. For her brother Tom and the little ones, Heaven clings to her pride and her hopes. Someday they'll get away and show the world that they are decent, fine and talented; worthy of love and respect. Then Heaven's stepmother runs off, and her wicked, greedy father has a scheme - a vicious scheme that threatens to destroy the precious dream of Heaven and the children forever!