Shek marvels at the new world as he and his brother Little Wong arrive in California. Along with hundreds of other workers the brothers are going to build a great railroad across the West. They plan to save enough money so that their mother and little brothers can join them in America. But as days grow into months they endure many hardships-exhausting work discrimination and treacherous avalanches. Inspired by actual events this story reveals the harsh truth about life for the Chinese railroad workers in 1865 while celebrating their perseverance and bravery.