The young puffin Despina, fearing punishment for her disgraceful behavior, flees the island of her birth and goes to sea. There she meets up with a lonely great auk named Fletcher, who is frantically searching for the only other great auk still alive.When Despina agrees to help Fletcher, she has no idea of the amazing and sometimes dangerous adventures she will have. She cannot imagine the strange characters she will meet--like a French chef who wants to cook and eat her, a fat white rat named HoRATio (who may be friend or enemy), and Sir Cedrick, a large and imposing puffin with blond hair hanging down his back. Will Despina survive all the challenges she faces and redeem herself in the eyes of her own puffin colony? Read this charming, suspenseful fantasy to find out. And look at the science section at the back of the book; you’ll be amazed to learn how much of the story is true!