Young boys always have many childhood adventures in sports and neighborhood games. John is able to share his life and relationships with you. His friends and foes come to life, in particular, his memories of his first close friend, Phyllis. The story also tells about the neighborhood heroes who were killed during World War II, and it describes some of the key battles of the war.

As the story unfolds, we find that young John depended on his Irish immigrant parents for love and guidance, and they were always there when he needed them.