David's family, consisting of his grandmother Margaret, his father, and himself, moves from Minnesota to Perkiomen Township, Pennsylvania.

David's father, a sales manager, only comes home on the weekends; so he is raised by his loving grandmother, who he disrespects and ignores completely.

In the morning, they are soon found by a police officer who had been looking for them throughout the night; but not before David sees the sunrise, which he had vowed never to do without his mother, since before she died she had promised him that they would watch it together.

Kirkus Reviews wrote "With strong characterization of major and minor characters and a light, poetic touch, Spinelli deftly handles themes of friendship, family, loss and resilience in a story that will long linger in the hearts of readers."

"[1] while Publishers Weekly saw that "In Spinelli's (Maniac Magee ) latest novel, the Newbery Medalist falls slightly short of the high standard he's set in some of his previous books.

"[2] Common Sense Media described it "By turns moving, magical, and startlingly original, this story gives readers plenty to chew on.