A mischievous boy growing up in a Mississippi River town in the 19th century impresses his friends and horrifies adults by associating with the son of the town drunk, running away from home, attending his own funeral, etc.
Bobby Aaron was a cool kid but his burps were uncontrollable; he belched at movies, in the library, and even in the principal's office and knew he would have to get himself under control if he wanted to win the spelling bee.