Frederick's mother walks twelve miles each way for a nighttime visit with her son, during which she recounts what each mile of the journey represents. Based on the facts from the life of Frederick Douglass.

Author Glenda Armand imagines Frederick Douglass as a young boy in 1820s Maryland, trying to understand why he can't live with his mother, who is a slave on another plantation. During a brief, nighttime visit, Mama answers Frederick's questions by describing what each mile of her journey is for - remembering, listening, praying, singing and finally, love. Her strength to travel the distance between them is a poetic testament to the human spirit, showing Frederick that although the road through life is full of hardships, hope, joy, and dreams can grow along the way.

Mama's faith and love set Frederick on a path to future greatness as a man with a determined and resilient spirit who escapes from slavery to become a noted intellectual, a highly respected human rights activist, an eloquent writer and speaker, and leader.