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Nine-year-old Josh Winters and his family move to Arlington, a suburb of Dallas. He is thrilled to be close to his cousin Clint and play for the Titans—a little league team. Josh enjoys the new neighborhood's neat and varied lawns and beautiful homes. However, one house in the community doesn't fit in with the other homes. In that house lives an old man who is not enamored with children. "Josh's dad had been told that Mr. Willingham was a divorced recluse who was never seen outside." His is the house that kids avoid due to its appearance and stories of the grumpy old man who lives there. However, Josh makes a mistake that leads to his being forced to approach the house and knock on the door. What Josh learns about the man who lives there will change both of their lives.
This short novel is a wonderful read with plenty of action and plot twists. Most of the action comes in descriptive passages concerning Josh's little league team. Josh is a great role model for young adult and middle school readers. His sense of integrity is an endearing character trait. And even though Josh breaks a promise to his father, he still tries to do the right thing no matter how painful. Josh owns up to his father about his bad decision, and he is shocked by his dad's reaction, "I'm proud of you for trying to do the right thing. I'm sorry Mr. Willingham would not listen to you." Josh's father also displays a sense of integrity and empathy. With its likable moral characters, exciting descriptions of baseball games, and a redeeming ending, this book should be an enjoyable read for older kids especially but also for readers of all ages.