All his life, John has been moving around. His fathers job as a surveyor takes them all over Australia, but his most recent place of employment is in Queensland. The journey was hard what with all the flooding, but they eventually make it. While unloading the car, John hears a voice and makes an unexpected friend. Ceddy is a ten-year-old Aboriginal boy. Although their skin tones dont match, John and Ceddy become friends. Together, they face many challenges as they go up against dangers of the Outback and, even worse, small town racial prejudices. Despite difficulties, they have adventures, make other friends, and learn slowly how to become men. Author James Palmerwho, like John, spent his youth moving from place to placetells this story with humour and heart. He draws a picture of the salty characters that were all around his own childhood and gives them life. Johns story is one of tragedy, philosophy, folly, and bigotry, all differing aspects coming together to make a rich page-turner.