First published 2000
Chalou works as a farm dog in the cold landscape of French Canada. When ice breaks away beneath him, he finds himself trapped on a small floe drifting down the St. Lawrence River. The current carries him miles from everything he knows. Someone eventually pulls him from the water, but his troubles are far from over. He must find his way back to the farm where he belongs. During this difficult journey home, Chalou meets a young girl who treats him with gentle care. She shows him warmth and kindness that no human has ever offered him before. This encounter changes something deep inside the dog. When Chalou finally reaches familiar territory, he faces a choice that will determine his future. The path back to his old life leads him toward something entirely different than what he expected to find.
Genres: fiction, animals, adventure, contemporary, canadian-literature
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Canada, French Canada, St. Lawrence River
Period: 20th-century
Hardcover · Harpercollins Juvenile Books