He has an older brother, the Motorcycle Boy, who is the most popular kid in the city. Rusty is a teen who gets in trouble and in fights often. He doesn't use his brain and depends solely on his fists. Rusty has many adventures with his friend Steve in which the Motorcycle Boy has to show up and bail him out from fights and muggers. On Rusty's final adventure with his brother, he and the Motorcycle Boy break into a pet store.
Police arrive on the scene to stop the vandals.
A police officer that strongly disliked Rusty and the Motorcycle Boy takes his chance and shoots the Motorcycle Boy and kills him. Rusty James no longer has the Motorcycle Boy to save him from sticky situations. This book gives an excellent idea on how life on the street is like. Suspense is used to make you interested in the book. Rusty's character is likeable because he is tough, but caring for others at the same time.