Khalil lives with his big, busy family in the second story flat of a house, while quiet Mr. Hagerty lives alone on the first floor. Both like spending time in the backyard, where Mr. Hagerty maintains a garden and Khalil hunts "for bugs and interesting rocks." The two lead a peaceful co-existence that soon becomes a friendship, as they find ways to help each other out, enjoy celebratory snacks together, and even to surprise each other with small acts of kindness. The friendship between an elderly white man and a young brown-skinned boy is distinctive for the equality of their relationship. The collage illustrations extend the story with details that offer some foreshadowing and show the developing closeness between the two neighbors.
(Ages 3-6)