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Eleven-year-old Katelyn Clark hopes that her insect collection will win first prize at the science fair. While searching for new specimens, Katelyn finds an orphaned baby crow she names Taco. The wildlife refuge tells her to put the bird back where she found it. But won't he die without his parents?
Determined to keep Taco alive, Katelyn faces the challenges of caring for a nestling. She enlists the help of her new friend Maddie, a city kid who is intrigued by Katelyn's country lifestyle. At the same time, Katelyn is curious about Maddie's gated community and yearns for the technology Maddie has at her fingertips. The girls move toward a more mature understanding of friendship as they navigate their economic and family differences.
Katelyn's actions demonstrate what can go wrong when a wild animal imprints upon humans. As Taco grows, he has no fear of people, which not only puts him in danger, but also makes him the neighborhood nuisance. By the end of the summer, Katelyn's father decides he'll no longer put up with the bird's antics and talks about deserting him in a faraway forest. Katelyn worries Taco doesn't have the skills to survive winter on his own. She must make the hardest decision of her life.
The book provides a gentle introduction for families and classrooms to discuss the ethical treatment of wildlife. It includes bird and insect illustrations and a "More to Explore" section listing appropriately aged internet resources for teachers and parents to share with children.
