Set in the deep South of the early 1900s, an African American girl learns to play the piano from her white employer and their mutual love of music rewards them with a friendship that transcends age and race.

Tia loves music. She walks the summer streets searching for new sounds and different kinds of music that will transport her from the hot, dry town where she lives to imaginary places filled with castles, mountains, and deep snow.

One day, Tia wanders into the white section of town. Soon she is transfixed by a wonderful melody that drifts towards her from one of the houses. Without thinking, Tia accepts a maid's job from Miss Hartwell, the woman who lives there, just so she can hear more of the music.

The Piano is an uplifting story of caring, friendship, and the connections that can develop between people, no matter how different their ages and backgrounds.