Leigh Botts has been Boyd Henshaw's number one fan ever since he was in second grade. Now in sixth grade, Leigh lives with his mother and is the new kid in school. He's lonely, troubled by the absence of his father, a cross-country trucker, and angry because a mysterious thief steals from his lunchbag.

Then Leigh's teacher assigns a letter-writing project. Naturally, Leigh chooses to write to Mr. Henshaw, whose surprising answer changes Leigh's life.