More than anything, Tree longs to escape the orphanage and find a home for himself and his brother. But when his chance finally comes, the Gundersons want only one boy to help work on their farm. "I promise," Tree tells his wild, reckless brother, Acorn. "If I don't come back, I'll send for you." Tree hopes hard work will win over dour Delton Gunderson, but he finds the farmer as harsh and unrelenting in his criticism as the prairie wind. As weeks turn into months, Tree's solemn promise seems impossible to keep. It's only Gunderson's own brother, Jake, and his kind ways that give Tree hope that this can become home -- until Acorn suddenly appears, threatening everything. Set in 1926 on the untamed North Dakota prairie, this is the story of one young boy's struggle to win the respect of the harsh inhabitants of a harsh land. What he learns of cruelty and unexpected kindness, of loyalty and thoughtless betrayal, of blustering cowardice and quiet courage, helps him unlock the secrets of who he dares to become.