Twelve-year-old Lonnie is finally feeling at home with his foster family. But he still lives apart from his little sister, Lili, so he decides it's his job to be the "rememberer"--and write down everything that happens while they're growing up. He says to her: "I'm going to hold on to all these letters, and when we're living together again, they're gonna be the first present I give you."
Now that Lonnie and Lili are settled with good foster families, he can focus on some new worries. His foster brother, Jenkins, is in the army, and Lonnie is wondering about what peace means. News comes to his foster mother that Jenkins is wounded and the whole household mourns and worries about his fate.
Through his letters to Lili, Lonnie shares the strains of war in his foster family, in himself, and in the Jenkins who returns, discouraged and disabled. Lonnie finds encouragement and hope through the love of his brother and his new "mom." who guides them all.
