The summer that Hattie turns twelve, she meets the childlike uncle she never knew and becomes friends with a girl who works at the carnival that comes to Hattie's small town.

Intellectually challenged Charlie Gordon participates in an experiment which turns him into a genius, but only temporarily.

Watching their children move out and live independently is a difficult task for many parents--but for George and Mary Ann McCray, it's nearly impossible. Even though Todd, their disabled son, is in his twenties, George and Mary Ann fear that he cannot thrive without their support and supervision. But Todd is determined to be his own person--and he has a dog named Christmas and an entire community ready to help him find his way.