Kozol's book offers an insight into the lives of people in one of the poorest neighborhoods in the United States, the Mott Haven district of the South Bronx. His purpose is to draw attention to the fact that although many social reconstruction projects have been initiated over the years, true change does not come from government projects, but rather from committed and caring individuals. By conducting numerous interviews with both children and adults, Kozol examines the lives of people in Mott Haven who are working towards positive change. Throughout the story, he shows how the residents of this desperately poor neighborhood are attempting in their own small way to provide stability and offer compassion to those around them.