In Pasadena Nika has lost her parents and now her foster mother as well only to be shipped off with her brother to an uncle she has never met, a wolf biologist in Minnesota. Full of grief she is determined to need no one, but discovering an orphaned wolf pup with her uncle leads Nika into events and emotions she never expected.

Carlson-Voiles believes that serious encounters with wildness in nature has the potential to heal the human heart. Her meticulous detailing of the rearing of wolf pups and her renderings of Nika's discovery of the wilds of Minnesota will captivate readers of any age.

Kirkus gave this book and early starred review and Parents' Choice Awards gave it a silver honor recognition as it was released.