Sammy does not go to school with his older brother. Sammy has to go to school on a special bus. They cannot play in the park together. Sammy lies under the tree and watches the leaves. They are constantly at cross purposes because Sammy is autistic and does not know how to be a normal brother. Then one day the older brother realises that he should not demand everything on his own terms and that Sammy's way of doing things may not be so bad.
This moving book realistically portrays life with an autistic child in the family. It does not promise any simple solution but reminds us all that understanding and compromise are vital ingredients in a good relationship.