Ten-year-old Josh learns the value of prayer when dealing with his parents' divorce and when he gets in trouble for investigating a house that may have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.
After great resistance, Josh, a new student with an interest in bugs, befriends nerdy Wendell, who comes to Josh's aid during a crisis and introduces him to Christianity.
The success of his class project on hazardous wastes and his involvement with a group of Christian friends helps fifth-grader Josh McIntire deal with his feelings since his parents' divorce.