How much can family history change a boy?

Charles is an intelligent 9-year-old living in 1946 New England that struggles to emotionally connect with people. He doesn't fit in with the local boys and with a father that is constantly away for work, even his parent is a distant figure in his life. The one exception is his best friend Mary Anne. With her he is confident and open, revealing all his secrets and fears. Charles is given an opportunity to accompany his father on a trip to his hometown in rural Canada.

On the farm, he hears about his father's youth and the Great Depression. Charles learns the complexity of who his father is and how struggle shaped his father. He begins to understand and connect in that same way he does with Mary Ann, but Charles is still unsure what that means for him.

When his cousin invites him on an adventure Charles agrees. It should be just an average boy's day, but things turn dangerous. Through that moment Charles recognizes his own need to change and knows he must fight if he is going to live with the kind of strength his father has. But has he learned his lesson soon enough, or will he lose himself in the danger of this one adventure?