This book describes an elementary school's efforts to respond to the needs of their highly distressed central Appalachian community. These educators, their school, and their community are a microcosm of the changes occurring in the region itself.

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
PART I: THE ETHNOGRAPHY
Chapter 1: "An unparalleled place in our cultural imagination"-An Introduction to Appalachia
Chapter 2: "Lonesome beauty"-McDowell County, West Virginia
Chapter 3: "That mountain, it divides the county"-McDowell County School System and Creekside Elementary School
PART II: THE NARRATIVES
Chapter 4: "They were almost always poor"-Identifying the Challenges
Chapter 5: "Hold on to the promise and goodness of a child"-Responding to the Challenges
Chapter 6: "We have to empower them with an education"-Visions of the Future
References
About the Author