The story revolves around Kevin, a young boy with autism, who is living in a foster home with a woman who treats him poorly. She sees taking care of Kevin as a business and tries to minimize expenses, often neglecting his needs. One day, Miss Jacobs, a social worker, visits and reveals that Kevin is highly intelligent and talented, but has been overlooked due to his autism. She decides to adopt Kevin, and they form a loving bond. With Miss Jacobs' support, Kevin thrives and becomes a celebrated writer. The story concludes with Kevin as a successful adult, who reunites with his former foster parent, Sandra, who had mistreated him. Kevin is now in a position to help others and has found a sense of belonging with Miss Jacobs, who he considers his "real mom."
1. Kevin has autism.
2. Kevin is three years ahead on his reading and writing.
3. Kevin is a fantastic dancer.
4. Kevin falls into the higher needs classification.
5. Higher needs equals higher pay for his foster care.
6. Kevin gets two meals every day, breakfast at 7 a.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.
7. Kevin gets a free lunch at school.
8. Kevin has to ask permission to eat something.
9. Joey gets paid to take care of Kevin.
10. Joey has to keep Kevin on a tight budget to make the foster care business profitable.
11. Kevin has to walk to school back and forth every day as a form of discipline and to save Joey money on gas.
12. Joey gets tired of Kevin constantly talking back to him.
13. Joey explains to Kevin that taking care of him is a business.
14. Miss Jacobs and Kevin's agency review Sandra's file and decide to remove her from the system.
15. Joey adopts Kevin.
16. Kevin becomes a celebrated writer.
17. Kevin's teachers are impressed with his writing.
18. Kevin becomes one of the most celebrated riders around.
19. Kevin surprises his mom by coming to live with him.
20. Kevin runs into Sandra, who is no longer allowed to be a foster parent.
21. Kevin's mom, Joey, is proud of him and believes in him.
22. Kevin wants to give his mom everything because she believed in him when he had nothing.
23. Sandra asks Kevin for money, but he refuses.
24. Kevin's mom says Kevin can have pancakes and a milkshake, but his sibling cannot have a milkshake because they are lactose intolerant.