It's a hot and slow summer in Turtle Dove Junction, and 10-year-old Marlene is spending it helping her parents with chores and playing with her younger brother Silas. When she visits the local grocery store to sell eggs, she catches sight of a stray coon dog and is determined to befriend him. She soon learns that a mean neighbor has been heckling the dog, and a dear friend.

Set in rural Tennessee during the 1930s, Red and Me is a heartwarming tale of family, friendship, adventure, and the special bond between a girl and her dog. The story offers readers a glimpse into life in a rural southern town in the 1930s, while also addressing the painful realities of racial injustice. The is novel for young readers skillfully blends a child’s innocence and sense of wonder with an honest exploration of the real world.