Her verbally abusive father Martin belittles and criticizes the entire family, while her nervous mother Lily encourages her daughter to ignore his behavior and try not to set him off, leading to Marcy's inability to talk about how she really feels.

Marcy and her friends from Smedley start a protest against Ms. Finney's dismissal until the principal, Mr. Stone, suspends the whole group.

The court determines that the school administration had no legal grounds to fire her, because it is unconstitutional to force her to recite the Pledge.

Her mother also learns this lesson and decides to take night classes at the local college in order to improve and fulfill herself.

Marcy finds that the friends she made during their struggle to save Ms. Finney continue to be supportive, and she is even surprised to learn that the crush she has on one of the boys is requited.