The story is in a small western town in Michigan where Arthur grew up with his dad, mother, brother and sister. He is Black, curious, gifted and a mischievous child in the story. On the outside, he is sweet, charming, full of old loving grace, loved by his parents, admired by everyone. But, Arthur's mother had an uneasy feeling about him. When the school Masters took him on their senior class trip to Europe for two weeks. Arthur left the group and decided to be like an adult.