Meet Prax and the family at the heart of every story: a family that listens in every language, including one letter at a time.
Brother, age 13
Praxton, but everyone says Prax. He is thirteen, autistic, and apraxic, and he does not use his mouth to talk. He spells on a letter board and uses a speech tablet his family calls his Talker. He knows more about carnival rides than anyone you have ever met, and he wants friends who do not need him explained.
Best friend
A soft gray elephant who goes everywhere Prax goes. Tusk is a good listener and never once asks Prax to hurry up.
Sister, age 11
Fierce and protective, Piper often holds the letter board and coaches Prax through spelling. She is the one who corrects strangers when they get him wrong. She loves drama club and is teaching herself Italian, mostly so she can order gelato one day.
Sister, age 9
Fast, funny, and always mid-story. Paisley runs track, plays flag football, and is quietly becoming a very good cook. On the cruise she becomes Prax's adventure guide, the one who pulls him toward the next new thing.
Mom
Calm and steady, with lots of practice holding the board. She and Prax share what they call double-brains, a quiet, wordless way of knowing what the other needs. They both love audiobooks.
Dad
Loving and level-headed, especially when a day gets overwhelming, and still building his spelling practice. The kids are with him half the week, twelve minutes away.
Grandma
Warm and practical, Grandma understands things without needing them explained. She keeps track of everyone, and she makes sure even Mom gets a turn to rest.