It is an epistolary novel told completely through forms of correspondence; letters, postcards, interviews with a psychiatrist, progress reports, and newspaper clippings.

Taking place in 1940s Brooklyn, the bulk of the novel consists of letters written between fictional New York Giants third baseman Charlie Banks and Jewish twelve-year-old Joey Margolis.

Craving a surrogate dad, Joey strikes up a correspondence with Charlie Banks, the third baseman for the New York Giants.

That he does so by persistently nagging Charlie sets the tone not just for their ongoing correspondence but for a relationship that will change both of their lives forever.

When Charlie doesn't listen, he writes to his on and off girlfriend Hazel McKay, a famous singer and actress in New York.

", only he writes it about all the times Charlie came to his defense, protecting him against the bullies, taking him on a road trip as a bat boy for the Giants, and eventually standing for him and reciting with Joey in his father's place at his Bar Mitzvah.

They often exchange secret messages until Craig has to move to California as part of the Japanese internment act.

Joey really likes a girl at his school named Rachel, but shows his affection at first by throwing things at her, then with love letters.

The show starred Corey Cott as Charlie Banks, Emily Padgett as Hazel MacKay, and Robbie Berson as Joey Margolis.