Fifteen-year-old Malachi Moon works long and hard days on his family's farm in Mullebur, South Carolina. As he shovels cow manure, chases chickens, and plows the ground with a stubborn mule, Malachi dreams of a world outside of the backbreaking chores his father demands of him. But only Malachi and his sister Rose Ann know about the special gift that will allow both of them to escape life on the farm. Malachi can sing and believes in his ability to do things others his age would deem impossible. When his father commits an unthinkable act and rapes twelve-year-old Rose Ann, Malachi and his sister gather their worldly possessions and flee the only life they have ever known. As the two youngsters travel through the rough countryside, Malachi dares to dream that one day, he will be as great as any other blues singer. But first, he must discover his true self.
"This finely written book has made me want to change my thinking process in regard to the blues. Robert Crudup has found a genre that compels the reader to turn each page with tingling fingers." -Anthony Faison, Author of Wrongfully Convicted and Still Standing