Tommy Joad had just gotten out of jail, and he started to make his way home to find his parents. Along the way, he met up with Cayce, the ex-preacher. They went back to Tommy's homeplace, which was deserted. The banks had reclaimed farms, and his family had to move to their uncle's farm. Tommy met up with his family, and they headed to California for more opportunity. The first day they were gone, the old grandpa died. They buried him.

They reached Arizona, and there, Grandma gets sick. Then, when they reached California, Grandma died. The family set up camp. Tommy hit a police officer, and Cayce took the blame and they thought he went to Jail. Rose of Sharon's husband ran away. The family left camp because it was rumored they were going to burn the camp.

The left the camp, and a man told them there was work picking peaches at Keene Ranch. The people there gave the Joad's a house, and also they gave them work. Tom went for a walk after work, and found a tent near a river where Cayce was hiding out. Then, they heard men surrounding them, so they ran off. They didn't get far, and someone killed Cayce. So Tommy killed the officer, and then he ran.

The family left the camp as soon as Tommy got back, and they headed north. They got to a government-owned campsite, and set up camp. It was very nice, with running water, and everything. They were told there was going to be a fight at the campsite, but it ended up being just a little tussle.

One night, 2 officers searched the camp, and Tom thought they were after him, so he left his family and the camp. The Joad's headed north to find better work.