This is the unique and very imaginative story of a young boy's search for both his stolen bike and for his missing mother. It melds different styles and genres of writing, including fantasy and adventure. All the while it maintains a straight-forward quality and tone. Billy Boy and his mother live in Cadomin, a ghost town in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. When his beloved bike goes missing, he leaves Cadomin and his mom to go in search of it. After some adventures with poplars, their enemy, Father John, and one of their spies, Sarah, he returns home empty handed. When he does, he finds that his mother has also disappeared. He and his new friend Sarah set off into the mountains to find her. They have many adventures along the way, and they meet a crow named Sam, religious fanatics and other characters and creatures that live in the forest. When he finally finds his mother, she helps him get his bike back as well. They join Sarah in her new house in the forest, and settle down into a kind of family.