Most of the boys in the Catholic school called Milwaukee College are engrossed with baseball and keeping up with their studies. When twelve year old Claude Lightfoot is transferred into the school, he has a rocky time of it. While Claude excels in baseball and other playground activities, he also has a knack of annoying the other boys, particularly one who is a mean bully. And though Claude is mentally bright, his hyperactive classroom behavior is a trial to his teacher. The problem that must be solved is whether Claude can settle down to become a responsible young man capable of self control. Along the way he must cope with a series of trials and obstacles, especially as he tries to achieve his great goal: to be worthy to make his first Holy Communion. - Summary by Carol Pelster