A group of boys and girls struggle through turbulent years growing up in an "All-American City" around 1950, one divided by a river separating the rich from the poor. A time when life was less complicated, it captures precious moments of youth that later take on a cherished quality. Matt O'Neill and his brother move to the run-down east side of Monroe Illinois and fight to survive and gain respect. They get a glimpse of Monroe's west side mansions through Dale Hartman, but Dale's secret agendato make Matt the joke of the west sidetransform him from friend to long-term enemy. The O'Neill boys come home to find their alcoholic father on the living room floordead, triggering a turning-point in Matt's life. Through an embracing friendship from Amos Carey and his bunch, and the girls of the neighborhood, Matt stumbles into adolescence and learns what love is all about from friends that care. When someone forces one of the neighborhood girls behind the bushes in the park, Matt and her friends to rally to her aid. But the incident becomes a tragedy where entire neighborhood, and in particular Matt O'Neill, learn how fragile life can be.