Byron is in sixth grade. Kenny, the narrator, is in fourth grade, and 

Joetta (Joey), their little sister, is in kindergarten. At school, Kenny gets picked up by  bullies, especially the fourth grade bully Larry Dunn.Until this kid Rufus moves from Arkansas to Flint, things aren't looking great for Kenny. Rufus is poor and ragged, and he talks with a Southern accent, so at first, Kenny is excited to get somebody new to bully the kids. But Rufus and Kenny are becoming friends instead. Momma and Dad announce that the entire family will go on a trip to Birmingham (where Momma comes from) to see Grandma Sands, and Byron will have to stay with her for the entire summer or until he learns how to behave. 

A couple of days later, 

Joey goes to neighboring church. 

A bomb goes off in the church 

while she is away from her fam. 

The whole family runs down to find her, but there is no place where they can find their little girl. Kenny thinks that this time the Wool Pooh got Joey and he's 

afraid he's going to get him, too, so he's running back home. Everyone is quite upset about the bombing but Kenny has the hardest time. He begins to hide behind the couch, and will not talk to anyone. Byron appears to have really changed and Kenny is 

checking in and trying to help him feel better. Then one day, Kenny just loses it, and uncontrollably starts crying.