The year is 1684. Twelve-year-old Eustache Bréman leaves behind a life of misery begging on the streets of France for a second chance in the New World with his mom, his sweetheart Marie-Élisabeth, and Marie-Élisabeth's family. But life is tough, with plenty more tragedy and disappointment to come on De La Salle's ill-fated expedition to the Mississippi.

Camille Bouchard transports readers, young and old, across continents and epochs. A writer and an adventurer, he never stops writing and travelling. He has won Canada's Governor General's award and has been a finalist five times. He is the author of more than 80 novels for readers of all ages. This is the first book by Camille Bouchard to appear in English. Peter McCambridge is a full-time, award-winning literary translator. Originally from Ireland, he holds a BA in modern languages from Cambridge University.