Jackson, Mississippi, 1962 Where black maids raise white children, but aren't trusted not to steal the silver There's Aibileen, raising her seventeenth white child and nursing the hurt caused by her own son's tragic death Minny, whose cooking is nearly as sassy as her tongue and white Miss Skeeter, home from College, who wants to know why her beloved maid has disappeared Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny No one would believe they'd be friends fewer still would tolerate it But as each woman finds the courage to cross boundaries, they come to depend and rely upon one another Each is in a search of a truth