Crow washed up on Osh's island as a baby, and she's been living there ever since. She longs to know where she came from, particularly because the other islanders treat her as if she came from Penikese, a nearby island that housed a leper hospital. When she sees a fire on the island one day, she sets out with Osh and Miss Maggie to find out more about the island and herself.

I love Crow, and I love this story. We don't hear as much about leprosy today, and I think this is a good introduction to kids about fear of that disease (which also relates to our fear of AIDS, something else I'm not sure kids today grasp.) My heart ached for Crow and her desire to know who she is, but also stay connected to who she is. Wolk is a great writer.