Poor black sharecroppers band together to build a school for their children.

Set in 1930s Louisiana during the Great Depression, Sounder tells the story of a young boy and his loyal dog, Sounder. The boy's father is convicted of stealing food for their family and is sent to a prison camp. The boy, his mother, and Sounder go on a journey to find the father and face various hardships along the way. It is a touching tale of family relationships, resilience, and the bond between a boy and his dog.