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In 1958, a father's lesson about race transforms the lives of some teenage boys. When Will, the narrator based on the author, tells his family he witnessed a bully abuse a black boy at the mall, Will's father sees a teachable moment. Remembering black childhood friends of his, Will's dad invites a black boy, Alex, from the orphanage to spend time with Will and the rest of the family. The day after Alex spends the night, Will can't find his beloved baseball signed by all the Yankees, and he suspects Alex stole it. By the time Will finds out who stole the ball, his father's lesson about race has expanded to one about friendship.
Intended for middle readers, the book's subject, form, and style are age-appropriate. Every chapter presents bite-sized episodes, each with its own dramatic arc. The overall plot, centered around a stolen baseball, is well set up with a story about how the ball came to Will, followed by his anxious search for it and his sense of betrayal. Although not action-packed, the pacing is as relaxed as the summertime setting. Describing Will's maturation process as he deals with his loss and asks Alex's forgiveness is the story's primary draw. Feelings, particularly about how Will and his sister perceive black people, are honest, handled with able adult guidance, and described in accessible language.
The book highlights boys' lives away from supervision. Scenes of swimming, bike riding, riding horses, and shooting guns make for a wholesome and historical read. The mistakes made in communication come across with candor and humor and show the boys' learning process. The moral experience for Will, in particular, is couched in a personal narrative that is touching and easily applicable to others' lives.