is a small, working-class neighborhood in northern Baltimore, Maryland named Tenley Heights.

As the story begins, Vernon and Miss Annie, an elderly former schoolteacher who became his tutor and helped him improve his grades in English, are talking about someone from their neighborhood who left two years earlier.

Vernon tells Miss Annie he still remembers everything that happened vividly, and she suggests he put his thoughts into writing (which forms the basis for the story).

He is a year older than the rest of his classmates, due to being held back one grade earlier in his schooling.

Vernon also does not have any resources to help him get tutoring, as his father is usually working, the family finances do not allow for him to pay for it, and Steph and Tony are both busy with their own schoolwork and unable to take him to the local library to receive it.

Vernon spends most of his time hanging out with his friends Bobby, Chris, and Jerry, and they get their kicks by causing trouble in town and harassing Maxine Flooter, an alcoholic dubbed the "Crazy Lady" by everyone in the neighborhood.

Later in the story, Vernon's father asks him to teach him how to read, which is an important moment in their relationship.

Vernon decides to take charge of the efforts to send Ronald to the games, getting the help of his friends in the process—especially Jerry, who has an intellectually disabled brother that he visits on the weekends and that he never tells anyone about.

Things start to come to a head when Vernon organizes a block party to help raise funds for Ronald.

The day of the Special Olympics arrives, and Ronald and Vernon win several ribbons as a team in walking races.

has received the following accolades: Despite the above, the book has also faced a lot of controversy due to offensive language.