Charlie, a boy with autism, describes what his life is like with his twin sister Callie, who does not have autism, and explains how water--whether in a pool, a tub, or in the aquarium--is like a warm hug, which settles him down and calms his mind, allowing him to focus and cope.

Callie is very proud of her brother Charlie. He's good at so many things--swimming, playing the piano, running fast. And Charlie has a special way with animals, especially their dog, Harriett. But sometimes Charlie gets very quiet. His words get locked inside him, and he seems far away. Then, when Callie and Charlie start to play, Charlie is back to laughing, holding hands, having fun. Charlie is like any other boy--and he has autism. In this story, told from a sister's point of view, we meet a family whose oldest son teaches them important lessons about togetherness, hope, tolerance, and love.