Firestorm

Near the end of 1967, Jack Abramson takes his first teaching position to replace a high school Math teacher who died in mid-semester. Everyone in town knows who's who and what's what. No war protests or race riots happen there. Outsiders are welcome to find their place and keep to it. There's no need to import trouble, but sometimes trouble comes knocking. Jack is one of those outsiders. Right away, he begins noticing others who are less than comfortable in their assigned places. LaDonna Davis, the only mixed race student, has scored exactly 80% on every assignment and exam since she started high school. Most teachers believe LaDonna is incapable of higher grades. Tess Tedesco, another first-year teacher in the same boarding house, agrees with the others about LaDonna. When Jack seeks advice, he expects support from the principal and others. He has a lot to learn. The principal wants Jack to bow to authority and not make waves. He accuses Jack of unprofessional interest in both LaDonna and Tess and threatens firing and arrest. Jack must choose between doing the right thing or letting LaDonna be expelled for cheating. Who gets only 80% when they cheat? And why? In the midst of it all, LaDonna begins to see Jack as someone she can trust. Is there enough time before she is expelled and he is fired?