If you had one minute to describe life on Earth, what would you say? It is 1977 and that is exactly the assignment that Theo's Science teacher has given him. What is most important? For Theo 's best friend Kenny, the most important thing about Earth is football, Redskins football. But for Theo, figuring out what is most important leads to a lot of unanswered questions, like where did his dad go? He knows his dad went away to fight during Vietnam, but what happened to him? Why won't his mother talk about his dad? And why does his grandma JeeBee insist on sending him a present from his father each year? For Theo, finishing this assignment will mean finding some answers and disturbing a fragile calm in his family that has existed for years. This is a California Young Reader Medal nominee for 2010.