She is young and untested, and she comes in with dreams of making a big difference in teenagers' lives. Initially, however, her students are defiant and obnoxious, refusing to allow her any authority in her own classroom. Gradually, she earns their respect, and as she observes the petty prejudices that divide her students, she decides to get through to them by teaching them about historical figures damaged by divisions based on race, religion and other factors. "The Diary of Anne Frank" makes a particularly strong impact, and the students begin to write their own diaries sharing their thoughts on the world.