Moon is ten years old and has lived all his life in the forest with his father, a Vietnam veteran who hates the government. His only interaction with the outside world has been a few trips to a small grocery store just outside the forest boundary. His father has taught Moon the academic basics, but mainly he has taught him to survive. Those survival skills come in handy when Moon's world is turned upside down with the death of his father. His father's last request was for Moon to "get to Alaska with people like them." Before he can leave, he is turned into the authorities and sent to a home for boys. At the home, Moon enjoys the food and friends he makes, but hates being confined. Moon and two friends decide to run away to Alaska together. When one the boys decides to go home and another gets sick, Moon is left alone and comes to question his father's lifestyle. Key paints an accurate portrait of the hardships of living and surviving in the forest. This peculiar coming-of-age story was a delightful read and has earned a 2009-2010 California Young Reader Medal nomination.