Faced with the daily onslaught of bullying by three older boys at his school, 12-year old Ryan Donaldson retreats into the safe world of books. Just before his 13th birthday, Ryan's dad takes the family on a last-minute vacation to Yellowstone National Park. On their way, they stop at a Native American reservation. There Ryan magically transforms into Little Hawk, a Native American boy, who is preparing to spend an entire year alone in the wilderness without the comfort and protection of his tribe. The unforgiving elements are not Little Hawk's only obstacles. Like Ryan, Little Hawk has three antagonists and they have mysteriously joined him in this realm. When one of them is mauled by a grizzly, Little Hawk has to decide: save his life and be ostracized from his tribe or let nature take its course.