This book is an adult's novel of nostalgia and childhood adventure. It revolves around a boy named Joey, his best friends; Harland and Jimmy, and his family. The setting is Southern Appalachia in the 1950's.

Joey's family consists of Mama and Papa, Aunt May and Uncle Ed. There's also Uncle Luther, who moves to Alaska to get rich working on the pipeline, and his super special companion and confidant, Grandpa. Then there's the Damn Yankee side of the family. They consist of Uncle Harve and his wife Judy, Uncle Fred and his floozie friend Ruby, better known as, "Sweet Thing".

Joey is especially drawn to Harland and Jimmy and they find themselves in and out of mischief almost daily after Joey and his parents move to town.