Charlie is the main character and first-person narrator of the novel. He is 12 years old and lives in Southern California with his dad Robert, older sister Davis, and two younger twin brothers Joel and Jake. Charlie’s mom died in a car accident when “Davis was five, [Charlie] was two, and the twins were newborn” (29). He doesn’t remember his mom and relies on his dad’s presence at home. When Robert, or Dad, is injured while doing journalism work in Afghanistan, Charlie feels as if his world is falling apart. He loves his grandmother, Gram, who helps take care of the family, but he misses Dad’s calming presence. He feels even more upset when Gram and Dad travel to Virginia to meet with better neurologists, and he is left alone with his siblings and their mysterious new family friend, Ludmila.

These unexpected dynamics upset Charlie’s otherwise predictable reality. Because Charlie has autism, he utilizes consistency and routines to feel safe. Washing his hands, keeping things clean, wearing soft clothing, and spending time reading about and drawing birds are activities that help Charlie to feel calm. Therefore, when his family ventures out on a cross-country road trip from California to Virginia, Charlie feels overwhelmed and anxious.