After a devastating flood destroys Earthwood, Gavin, a young raccoon and Ra-in-waiting, finds himself marooned in a desolate landscape with his two brothers. They set out to find food and shelter, and in their early travels meet up with a number of other survivors. Danger lurks everywhere in the form of a Tallwalker with a gun, and they have a number of narrow escapes before they make a shocking discovery. Gavin, shy and bookish, is a reluctant leader, but he takes on the role and leads the group into Everdark, where they confront grotesquely deformed beasts and a band of giant Squeezels. Using all his wit and store of raccoon lore, Gavin leads his little troupe towards Earthwood, earning his spurs and the honorific, Gavin the Great.

Don Gutteridge was born in Sarnia, Ontario and raised in the nearby village of Point Edward. He graduated with a BA in Honours English from the University of Western Ontario, where he is currently professor emeritus in the Faculty of Education. He is the author of more than thirty books: fiction, poetry and scholarly works. This is his first book for younger readers.