Finn is the only survivor of a small plane crash which has killed his parents and younger sister. Finn's grief, shock and inability to articulate his emotions and memories, are manifested by him becoming mute. Finn moves to his grandmother's farm to live. The grief of his grandmother and Finn's sister's friend, Julia, is discussed, showing that grief is not limited in who it touches. Other dramatic situations occur, including Finn and Julia's accidental involvement with local drug dealers, and Finn's increasing involvement with a hybrid wolf. All three portraits of grief are realistically drawn. At the end of the novel Finn is ready to move on, he speaks and has finally let his memories of the crash to move to the end, and to remember all that happened. ( )