Ever since Bo can remember, she and her papas have lived in the little Alaskan mining town of Ballard Creek. Now the family must leave to work at a dredge mine, far away in Iditarod country.

Bo and her family follow many rivers to get to Iditarod Creek. And what a strange place it is! The dredges are screek-ity loud and the whole town is built atop mounds of gravel. Initially homesick, Bo soon realizes there is friendship to be found everywhere … and Iditarod Creek may hold some surprises for her already unconventional family.