North Carolina, 1893. Thirteen-year-old Maggie Winters lives with daily danger. As the daughter of a former slave, her secret quest for education can't protect her for long. When vicious racists bent on teaching blacks their place attack her home, Maggie's innocence dies, but she barely survives...

Nearly 60 years later, a frightened mother calls on Maggie to perform an exorcism on a girl who talks to spirits. As she prepares to help, Maggie discovers a family secret that resonates with her own painful past.

When more skeletons come to light, she must re-open the wounds of the past to heal the mother, the daughter... and herself.

School of Hard Knocks is a poignant work of historical fiction. If you like sweeping sagas, politically-charged stories, and women overcoming adversity, then you'll love Theresa Crater's inspiring novel.