The following version of this novel was used in the creation of this study guide: Fell, Blair. The Sign for Home. Emily Bestler Nooks. 2022. Paperback.

23-year old Arlo Dilly is a DeafBlind man under the care of his Uncle, Brother Birch, and his long time interpreter, Molly. Early on, Arlo talks about a forbidden memory, or something in his past that his guardians demand he forget about. Furthermore, since they are preparing Arlo for a year-long mission trip in Ecuador, Brother Birch gives Arlo permission to attend Dutchess Community College to improve his English writing skills. However, they must hire a second interpreter to help and, much to Brother Birch and Molly’s disapproval, Arlo chooses Cyril, an openly gay man who encourages Arlo to make his own decisions. This causes conflict between Molly and Cyril, as Molly wants to control Arlo’s life while Cyril wants him to be fully independent.

After Arlo befriends Cyril’s best friend, Hanne, the truth behind Arlo’s past is revealed. After being removed from his mother’s home by Brother Birch, he was sent to Rose Garden School. There, he befriended fellow Deaf and Blind students Martin and Big Head Lawrence who taught him things that Molly believed were indecent. Eventually, Arlo met and fell in love with a girl he only refers to as ‘S’. However, when they were caught sleeping together in the forest, S and Arlo tried to flee, only for S to fall off a roof to her death. Arlo was accused of raping her after the police coerced him into signing a confession, but was allowed to leave with Brother Birch and Molly to a new home.

In the present, Arlo asks Cyril to find his old friends and meets with Big Head Lawrence. There, Arlo learns that his guardians lied to him. S (who’s full name is revealed to be Shri) survived and has been trapped in a nursing home for half a decade. Arlo tries to trick Cyril into taking him to visit her, but Brother Birch and Molly find out and accuse Cyril of seducing Arlo and trying to turn him against them. Cyril, however, accuses them of hypocrisy, pointing out that they are committing the same sins they constantly blame Arlo for. Cyril to be expelled from the interpreter agency as an investigation into misconduct is launched.

Then, with the help of Arlo’s English Professor Lavinia and a guilt-ridden Molly, Cyril and Hanne take Arlo to the nursing facility. After they realize that Shri is not receiving any assistance with her disability - including access to an interpreter- Arlo decides to break her out. Once they do, Cyril drives Arlo and Shri away. While their fate is left uncertain Arlo believes that he has finally found home.