While in the hospital, Jon Reed receives a 1794 copper cent piece from his father, who tells him it is a good luck penny that has been in the family for several generations. Alone and frightened before his operation, Jon clutches the old coin in his hand and wonders who else has held the good luck penny as closely as he is holding it now-- Jeremy, the poor chimney sweep in Philadelphia . . . Joshua, a slave boy whose parents were sold down river . . . Ben, a fugitive on the Underground Railroad . . . Nancy, who traveled the Oregon Trail and was captured by Indians . . . Running Bear, who joined Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce on their long, sad trek to Canada and freedom . . . The adventures of the good luck penny span two centuries and cross a continent. In its exciting travels it brings hope and a message of freedom to those who own it. And as Jon Reed discovers, the penny's true destiny, like happiness, is to be passed on to those who need it most.