Rusty is a sensitive boy who is dismayed to learn that the father he loves is a thief. Supported by two friends, Willie and a West Indian boy Sylvester, he endures the taunts of the tough children at his school. His affection for his father never falters and when his father becomes involved in a prison escape against his will, he learns that his father can also be a hero. Willie is also involved in several misguided attempts to remove his grandmother from an old people's home, with Rusty and Sylvester lending a helping hand where they can! The three friends also come up with a plan to break down Sylvester's grandparents' prejudice against his white mother, but will it be effective? Rusty and Friends is a trio of stories that deal with a variety of social issues, including mixed race, the elderly and children with a parent in prison. It is a engaging book about family, friends and childhood that will be enjoyed by children aged 9 and up.