Joe is ashamed to open his wrinkled, brown lunch bag in front of his first-grade classmates. Every day, he secretly eats his lunch under the big oleander bush in the middle of the playground. He would rather hide than listen to Donnie and Jim tease him. All of the teasing makes Joe sad. His father is in the hospital, and his family can't afford new clothing or even much food. One day, Joe confides in his kind and compassionate teacher, Miss Kirby. Together, they find a way to confront Donnie and Jim about their bullying behavior. Based on a true story set in 1937, Faded and Worn Overalls shares a tale about how Joe, Miss Kirby, and God come together to solve the problem of bullying.