Simms boys, who set T.J. up to take the blame. After Cassie is humiliated by Lillian Jean Simms, she pretends to forgive Lillian Jean and becomes friends with her long enough to learn sensitive information about the Simms family. Cassie forces Lillian Jean to apologize for all the humiliation she inflicted on her, then threatens to reveal all of Lillian Jean's secrets if she tells anyone what happened. When Cassie's mother catches T.J. cheating, T.J. gets her fired from her job, with the help of the Wallace family. The book ends with T.J. about to be lynched for the deaths of the Barnetts when the cotton fields catch fire and the community bands together to stop the fire from spreading. Cassie realizes that Papa set the fire to save T.J. Stacey asks what T.J.'s fate will be. Papa tells the children T.J. will likely be convicted of Mr. Barnett's murder and may be executed. Cassie, overwhelmed by the news, silently goes to bed. Although Cassie never liked T.J., she cries for him and the land. Characters The Logan Family Cassie Logan: The narrator of the story, which takes place from her point of view, she is a strong-willed, precocious nine-year-old girl willing to fight for anything she believes in. Cassie is a fourth grader, and she is a tomboy who learns valuable life lessons from her parents, grandmother, and elder brother Stacey. Stacey Logan: The eldest son of Mary and David Logan, a 13-year-old boy who feels that it is his responsibility to take care of the family while his father is away working on the railroad. He is a seventh grader who attends the same class his mother teaches. He is portrayed as a strong-minded young man who is loving towards his family. Christopher-John Logan: Stacey and Cassie's second younger brother, a seven-year-old boy. He is notorious for being a rule-follower and doesn't like going against the family's decisions or getting himself in trouble. Clayton Chester "Little Man" Logan: Stacey and Cassie's youngest brother, a six-year-old first grader. He is very neat and tidy and does not like to be discriminated against, even though he does not understand what that means at his young age. David Logan: The father of the Logan children, who call him Papa. He works on the railroad and tries to teach his children life lessons in hopes of keeping them get out of trouble.