Jimmy has little choice when his long-absent father Crab re-enters his life and takes him off on a trip to Chicago. Crab has experienced many failures and losses in his life, but he is determined to make a last effort to connect with Jimmy. Unsure and untrusting of each other at first, often with good reason, Jimmy and Crab slowly develop a relationship as father and son, although neither can be completely open about their feelings with the other. Walter Dean Myers excels at creating strong characterizations and showing emotions from the outside, as readers watch Jimmy grow and develop during his time with Crab. (Age 12 and older)