After his mother's death, 12 year old Mateo becomes an orphan and feels all alone until he learns that his biological father is living in the United States. Mateo decides to make the 600 mile trip to find his father. Accompanied only by his faithful dog and burro, there is only one problem. It's 1916 in Mexico and there is a revolution going on. Throughout the country side on every road, there are murders and thieves roaming at-will. Pancho Villa is being pursued by General Pershing and the Mexican Government. Nobody knows whose side his neighbor is on. There is death, mistrust, fear, hunger and anger. But Mateo sets out on his journey anyway-a journey that will cause him to see and learn things that will forever change him.