Hattie Owen enjoys peaceful Millerton summertimes withhouses nodding in the heavy air,being in charge of Miss Hagerty's breakfast tray at her parents'boardinghouse, and drinking lemonade on the porch after supper. Yet thisyear, it's different -- Hattie's uncle Adam is coming home.Returningfrom a Chicago school that's just closed and whose existence is keptquiet by adult family members, Adam is a 21-year-old man with a child'smind, having a knack for talking quickly, a savant-like ability forremembering weekdays, and a passion forI Love Lucy. Hattie andAdam wind up spending precious time together -- including a visit to therecently arrived carnival with Hattie's new friend, Leila -- whichmakes her feel soulfully connected to her uncle, especially when hedeclares that she'sone of the people who can lift the corners of our universe.But when Hattie takes Adam on the Ferris wheel one night, it sets offdramatic events that lead Hattie's family to strengthen its bonds andchanges her life's outlook forever.