Seventeen-year-old Cass misunderstands her divorced parents until she discovers the secret they've been keeping from her: she has a severely handicapped, terminally ill younger sister.
Charlsie, a young boy with Down's syndrome, has an infectious chuckle that helps the members of the Town Council stop arguing long enough to solve some serious problems.
Two young Down's syndrome patients discuss their experiences growing up with a developmental disability, and reveal their thoughts and feelings on friendship, school, careers, marriage, independence, and other topics.
Dorrie must learn to deal with her feelings of frustration, anger, and resentment as her life seems constantly affected by the fact that her younger brother has Down's syndrome.
Anna's teen years bring maturity and fulfillment as she experiences the birth and death of a loved and loving hydrocephalic brother, changing ideas about character in both boyfriends and girlfriends, and working with a child with Down's syndrome.
