Maddy Patti is a young girl who goes to her grandfather's farm every summer to spend time with him and all of his animals. Maddy's grandfather, Pop-Pop, is a retired country doctor. During her visit to the farm, her friend Gideon Green tells her he has a disease called diabetes. Since Maddy Patti has the gift of being able to communicate with animals, they help her understand diabetes. Pop-Pop discusses diabetes with Gideon and explains that with proper care and a healthy diet Gideon can play, work, and have fun just like any other child. When one of Pop-Pop's goats gets into trouble, Gideon saves the day. Children who have friends suffering from diabetes, or who themselves confront the disease, learn more about their own and other's symptoms and problems, treatments, and prospering despite living with the disease.