After a few months of being the "new kid" in Cypress City, Texas, Jimmy Stringer thinks he's finally fitting in. Then, his parents start arguing and can't seem to stop. Next thing, his dad, a captain in the Air Force, up and disappears on the night of the Summer Solstice. Rumors abound. Is Captain Stringer AWOL? Did he desert? Jimmy knows better, but he doesn't know where his dad has gone or why he didn't leave a note or some sign, if not for him, at least for his mom.
Relying on the help of his two buddies, Lupe and Billy Ray, Jimmy makes it through a tough West Texas summer. Finally, school starts again. Walking home from a high school football game on the Autumnal Equinox, Jimmy sees an unusual shooting star appear to land behind a neighbor's house. The next day, he watches that neighbor's little Chihuahua, Elmer, explode in Mr. Cadwallader's barbershop. Nothing is at it should be, but something tells Jimmy it's all related to his dad disappearing, and, just maybe, he and his friends can put it together and get his dad back.