Jamaican boy living in Pennsylvania is ill, misses a lot of school. His eccentric aunt tutors him over a period of months, teaching him about culture, history, and much more. After her sudden death he still sees her around, often with bits of advice. Eventually the family moves and he enrolls in school and he says goodbye to his auntie for good. Gawgon is the word gorgon said with an accent, and a name used behind Aunt's back and then laughingly by her with The Boy.

In Depression-era Philadelphia, when eleven-year-old David is too ill to attend school, he is tutored by the unique and adventurous Aunt Annie, whose teaching combines with his imagination to greatly enrich his life.