In 1956, Austin Kittredge is sent to live with his conservative grandparents in Vermont. Austin Sr. and Abiah have lived together for 50 years but they won't even speak to each other directly and actually despise each other. Austin, called "Tut" by his Egypt-obsessed grandmother (the daughters are Nefertiti and Cleopatra), must do farm chores, even though he doesn't like the idea. Austin also goes to school and meets Theresa, whose family is very poor. In addition to dealing with the conflicts between his grandparents, Austin must deal with their efforts to overcome reluctance to join the modern world.